Blow the call, change the season

The New York Times has an article by Billy Witz about the propensity of NFL referees to change their calls:

It has been fifteen weeks, which can seem like a lifetime in the NFL, and San Diego Chargers Coach Norv Turner has moved on. Turner insisted Wednesday that he had gotten over the anger of a referee’s blown call, which resulted in a 39-38 loss to Denver in the second week of the season. So, really, no hard feelings? “If you believe me when I said that,” Turner said with a smile, “I could sell you some other things.”
As the NFL enters the final weekend of the season, Turner is not the only one who may not be ready to forgive and forget. Three controversial calls by officials from this season loom large in the chase for the league’s 12 playoff berths.
On 14 September, Denver quarterback Jay Cutler fumbled near the San Diego goal line with just over a minute left in regulation, and the referee Ed Hochuli blew his whistle, a mistake he admitted quickly afterward. The premature stoppage allowed the Broncos to keep the ball, score a touchdown and add the winning two-point conversion. Had the result of the game been reversed, the Chargers would be going into Sunday’s game having already clinched the division.
Nearly two months later, in the final seconds of the Cardinals’ 29-24 win over the 49ers on 10 November, officials looked at replays to see whether 49ers running back Frank Gore, who had been ruled down a half-yard from the goal line, had been touched before he rolled into the end zone. They moved the spot of the ball back two yards — but did not inform 49ers coaches, who had called for a dive by fullback Michael Robinson. With no time left to change the play, Robinson was stopped well short of the goal line. Had San Francisco won that game, it would be tied with Arizona and have a chance to win the division. Instead, the Cardinals have clinched the title. Mike Martz, San Francisco’s offensive coordinator, received a $20,000 fine from the league for criticizing the officials.
On 14 December, the Steelers’ winning touchdown in a 13-9 victory over the Ravens came after the call on the field — that Pittsburgh receiver Santonio Holmes did not cross the goal line with the ball — was reversed. Television replays appeared inconclusive. If Baltimore had won, it would be hosting Jacksonville on Sunday with a chance to clinch a first-round bye. Now the Ravens are playing just to reach the playoffs, and could be rewarded with a first-round trip to New England.

Rico says it's these little moments that keep football fans glued to their screens, and sell Tivos.