There’s no denying that Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. However, he’s been constantly linked with several scandals that have put some of his biggest wins and even his legacy in question.
Deflategate, the tuck rule, Spygate, you name it. Great as he is, it seems like there are still a couple of things that have kind of tarnished his legacy and that’s he’s often getting a hand from the referees.
That’s why the internet was all over the officials after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a huge break on a fourth-down call that pretty much helped them seal a comeback win vs. the Atlanta Falcons.
Did The Referees Help The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Beat The Atlanta Falcons?
Once again, Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dug themselves in a hole early. They trailed by as many as 17 points until their defense started getting stops and they could march down the field in the second half.
Tampa held on to a 31-27 lead and was in control of the football late in the game. However, they were clearly half-a-yard short of a first down after a rush on third down, yet the referees gave them the call and therefore, the game.
The Falcons would have had one more drive to try and beat the Bucs and knock them out of playoff contention. Needless to say, they couldn’t even challenge the call as it was under two minutes. Also, they didn’t even have any timeouts. Obviously, football fans had a lot to say about this.
Bucs stopped half a yard short of a first down. The refs give them the first down. Tell me this game isn’t rigged. @NFL pic.twitter.com/kSs2hqAvAj
— Anthony (SKOL proj: 8-8) (@Toasty0024) December 20, 2020
Not that it would have mattered, but the @NFL refs helping the Bucs get a phantom first down is something… pic.twitter.com/HJzImcYb5d
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) December 20, 2020
this measurement resulted in a 1st down ����
it was reviewed…and confirmed a 1st down pic.twitter.com/xya4eoUQwD— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 20, 2020
Update: They might stink but definitely not as bad as The Falcons in the 2nd half.
Bucs win… and don’t cover because the refs gave them a 1st, when it should’ve DEFINITELY been 4th and a yard.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 20, 2020
REFS HAD FALCONS +6.5!!! Only way to justify this being called a first down pic.twitter.com/k3Y5SAHQo6
— Danny Overs (@BannerTownDanny) December 20, 2020
#Falcons Refs pic.twitter.com/gRo6qPe2kN
— T (@tramperson_ddmb) December 20, 2020
The refs calling the buccaneers vs falcons last first down ���� pic.twitter.com/50L2roHB6j
— von (@von_dizzy) December 20, 2020
Fournette was down short of the first down marker, watch the Ref move the ball giving Tampa Bay a 1st down… #TBvsATL #Falcons #Bucs #RiseUpATL pic.twitter.com/OvRNfg66FC
— The Armchair QB (@TheArmchairQB1) December 20, 2020
THE REF LITERALLY MOVED THE BALL. The falcons got screwed pic.twitter.com/R52xD9Yo0Y
— So when does baseball season start? (@gonzalui_) December 20, 2020
“ruling on the field stands, first down”
the nfl refs don’t even try at this point what the fuck lol pic.twitter.com/E3LkYl7EUU
— havoc (depressed falcons fan)(converted Bills fan) (@yoboyhavoc) December 20, 2020
Whether the referees purposedly helped the Bucs out or not is not for us to decide, and Brady shouldn’t be blamed for the official’s mistakes. Then again, we’re going to hear about this for a very, very long time, especially if the Bucs somehow go the distance and win the Super Bowl.
