Quite a lot of stupid to hit on this week, so let's get right into it…
The stupidest inconsistent officiating trend
Time for a stupid flashback to another stupid week. Specifically, Week 3, when we were highly critical of a ruling that cost Robert Griffin III a fumble and may have ultimately cost the Washington Redskins a game. Here's what we wrote:
Griffin was driving the Redskins down the field in the fourth quarter when he slid awkwardly after clearly giving himself up at the end of a first-down run. He fumbled and hadn't been touched, so the turnover was legit.
However, that rule has to be addressed. If a player has obviously given himself up, the play has to be considered dead. Defenders would have been penalized for hitting Griffin at the exact moment the ball came loose, which to me indicates there's something stupid about the ruling.
Emphasis added to the part about giving one's self up.
Now, back to the stupid present week. Thursday, New York Giants taking on the Chicago Bears. Giants receiver Rueben Randle makes a catch, goes down untouched, proceeds to spike the ball into the ground out of frustration, and the would-be fumble is recovered by Chicago.
But the Giants retained the ball because it was ruled that — unbelievably — Randle had GIVEN HIMSELF UP. Here's the rule that applies:
Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1 (e) states that “an official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended when a runner is out of bounds or declares himself down by falling to the ground, or kneeling and making no effort to advance.”
Griffin, like Randle, fell to the ground and made no effort to advance. That shouldn't have been ruled a fumble. Either both are fumbles, or both aren't fumbles. Let's be real here. This is stupidity.
The stupidest offside penalty
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to know that no coach in NFL history — not even the unpredictable Chip Kelly — would be stupid enough to go for it on fourth-and-one inside the red zone with an eight-point lead with three minutes to play. A field goal ends the game. You have to realize that, in this spot, it's a fairly obvious attempt to draw the defense offside.
And yet…
The stupidest interception…ever?
Take it away, Brandon Weeden…
That took place with the Browns driving inside Detroit territory with less than five minutes to play in a one-score game. Oh, and it was on first down.
Weeden just threw such a careless interception it makes Brett Favre look conservative.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) October 13, 2013
The stupidest personal foul rampage
Gotta be more disciplined than this Vontaze Burfict…
Burfict has now been penalized six times this season. No other linebacker has drawn more than four flags. Epitome of stupid.
The stupidest fans
Those who decided to cheer when Matt Schaub was injured against the Rams. You know you're particularly stupid when NFL players are calling you barbaric. Definition of stupid.
