Does the NFL have to do this?

No wonder several Ravens players lost it at the end of this week’s MNF encounter against the Patriots. They had beaten the much-hyped Brady bunch but the zebras took it away from them.

This is how I think it works. The league lets it be known sotto voce that if there are any marginal calls they should go the way of the chosen team, which this year is NE. The example that was obvious to anyone willing to look was the Colts vs the Steelers in the semis two years ago - but the Colts were so inept, the zebras couldn’t deliver. This year it’s the hype about the perfect record and Brady being able to walk on water.

They don’t have top do this. The NFL is massively successful. It doesn’t need this kind of tawdry manipulation. Despite video replay, there is still a lot zebra discretion – mainly around varieties of holding, which is how they jobbed Billick’s boys on Monday.

I hold no brief whatever for the Ravens and have always had a soft spot the Pats and admiration for Bellichick. Moreover, there was no spread issue either way. But, fair do’s, MNF was a travesty.

The script for Sunday is really interesting though: Pats vs 9-3 Steelers who are being hyped. I get the sense that Philly broke the spell the week before. They found a way to get guys in Brady’s face; he’s really no better than anyone else when he doesn’t have half an hour to throw. The pats defence is not that good and vulnerable to inside routes (says Big John and I believe him).