Bum calls.

Gregg Easterbrook on the officiating in the Patriots-Broncos game:

Today I rise to defend New England as victim of bum calls. The Patriots leading 3-0 with 1:51 remaining in the first half, Ashley Lelie went deep, covered by Asante Samuel. The two players brushed against each other slightly in the end zone as the ball sailed over Lelie's head. (The NFL.com video section has an excellent view of the play; click the Patriots-Broncos score). No flag was thrown. When no yellow appeared, the crowd groaned loudly, and then an official flagged New England for pass interference: ball spotted on the Pats' 1, Denver scored to take a 7-3 lead. Samuel and Lelie brushed each other an equal amount and each was looking back for the ball; the situation seemed exactly what is described in the incidental-contact rule. Rule 8.2.5: "Actions that do not constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to incidental contact by a defender's hands, arms or body when both players are competing for the ball… if there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference." Watch the replay and try to find the pass interference. But what really frosted me about the call was that the official seemed to throw the flag in response to the crowd, not the play. If the official thought it was interference, okay, then he reaches for yellow as soon as he sees the foul. Instead the ball sailed by, the players ran out of the end zone, and only after the crowd groaned did a flag sail. Officials should never react to the crowd. Note that with 31 seconds remaining in the Colts-Steelers game, there was a nearly identical play in the Pittsburgh end zone and officials properly ruled it incidental contact.

Bonus defense of New England: When Champ Bailey fumbled near the Pats' goal line, it sure looked like the ball rolled into the end zone and out of bounds, rather than going out at the Pats' 1 as zebras ruled. Instead of New England ball on the 20, Denver had possession on the 1 and scored on the next snap. No one expects a middle-aged side judge to keep pace with an NFL cornerback as he sprints 100 yards, so the fact that the official who made the call on the field didn't have a good view was not his fault. But replay showed the fumble rolling into the end zone. Alter these two calls, and right now we might be getting ready for a Pittsburgh at New England AFC championship.