>>>>You must be thrilled with the Panthers this season. Everything I have been hearing is that they are for real.
>>>
>>>Nothing makes me happier than seeing the Patriots lose. And the Panthers are a great story this year.
>>>
>>>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)
>
>Follow-up - while glad to see the Panthers come back to beat Miami, I'm stunned the refs picked up the flag on the Luke Kuechly head/neck shot. Mike Periera (former VP and Senior director of officiating) wrote tonight that the hit was a launch and a hit to the head/neck area, which is what the league is supposed to be cracking down on. I don't know if the officials are getting to be a bunch of cowards when ruling against Cinderella teams or just getting senile, but they blew the call.
>
>I read about a proposal that I hope gets some considerations - a soccer-style "red card" in the NFL for blatant helmet-to-helmet hits on defenseless players, forcing the offender's team to play with 10 men the rest of the game. I bet THAT would reduce helmet-to-helmet shots.

That's two games in a row where Luke Kuechly behaved irresponsibly and it should have been called by the refs. Most are wondering what is up with him and what's up with the refs. He has so many great tackles but those two were unacceptable.