>>You must be thrilled with the Panthers this season. Everything I have been hearing is that they are for real.
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>Nothing makes me happier than seeing the Patriots lose. And the Panthers are a great story this year.
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>But let's be honest - it was defensive holding in the end zone....period. Was a terrible way to end the game. In all fairness, game should not have ended on a defensive penalty that badly. Doesn't mean New England would have scored on an untimed down - but game shouldn't have ended the way it did.

I disagree 'somewhat.' :) It wasn't defensive holding because the ball was in the air but could have been considered pass interference and should have. According to the rules (I'm sure you know them better than i do :) ) the exception is for contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved player. The refs made that call that the exception fit the situation. I'm not so sure they were correct. Watching the play back, it looked to me like he was actually pushed back and had he not been, he might have been able to step forward and catch the ball. Other than the final moments, it was a really great game to watch.

(Edited - sorry for the typos)