As two prolific offenses combined for 89 points and standout performances, referees seize fans’ focus, as they do so often in the NFL.

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American football is unmatched in the effect a referee can have on the game.

Sure, the NBA had the Tim Donaghy betting scandal and the 2002 Western Conference Game 6 fiasco. Officiating can swing games, but it evens out over the course of a season or series.

Perhaps that’s why it appears there is at least one game a week haunted by “ref ball”. Teams have only 17 games to secure a playoff position, not 82 or 162. At the end of the season, it’s significantly easier to look through every game’s result and pinpoint one questionable or egregious call to say, “That’s why we didn’t make the playoffs!”. Single-elimination playoffs only magnify that effect. I need not remind most people of the 2019 NFC Championship Game.

To be fair, do I think the referees are part of a huge underground betting scheme in which they intentionally throw games? Probably not. Do I think they are bad at their job? No, not really. Calls are blatantly obvious when we get to see five different angles in slow motion, but, in real-time from a single angle and at ground level with 100,000 people ready to rip your head off at the slightest provocation, not so easy.

We saw just how “good” NFL referees were back in 2012. Unsatisfied with the existing pension plan, NFL referees held out to forward a proposed 401 (k) plan. Despite costing only $100,000 per team, the NFL plucked referees from the AFL, NCAA DII and III, and even the Lingerie Football League. As a result, we got the infamous “Fail Mary”, among other black eyes.

Do I think the NFL itself has an agenda? Absolutely. It’s an entertainment business foremost, and for every 50-50 call (or even 40-60 call), it will err towards the side of either a star player, a big market team, or general offense. Of course, any of these three categories can be the victim of a blown call themselves, so it’s not as insidious as most fan bases would have you believe.

To get it out of the way before we even start the analysis… Yes, I am salty, but that’s the point of this series, to go through the highs and lows and frustrations. Do I think the Browns lost because of the blown pass interference call? Yes.

However.

When you’re the first team in NFL history to lose a game after scoring 40 points, notching 500 yards, and committing 0 turnovers, a couple of missed hold calls and a dodgy PI aren’t the only reasons you lost.


The Quarterback Shootout




After a lackluster outing against the Vikings, Baker Mayfield returned with his second 300-yard game of 2021 with at least 70% passes completed (his fourth career game recording such numbers). Mayfield also recorded multiple passing touchdowns in a game for the first time this year.


After a lackluster outing against the Vikings, Baker Mayfield returned with his second 300-yard game of 2021 with at least 70% passes completed (his fourth career game recording such numbers). Mayfield also recorded multiple passing touchdowns in a game for the first time this year.

For Los Angeles, sophomore Justin Herbert was exceptional. For the third time in his career, he recorded four passing touchdowns and even tacked on a rushing touchdown, marking the first time in his career he has reached five total touchdowns in a single game. Herbert also recorded his most single game passing yards, barely missing his first 400-yard game with a final total of 398 yards. Finally, he has completed at least 60% of passes in nine straight games while attempting at least 30 in each.

 

Big Plays in the Big City


Both Chargers WR Mike Williams and Browns TE David Njoku had longest gains over 70 yards to pair with over 20 yards per reception and 149/165 receiving yards, respectively. Williams benefitted largely from two blown coverages where the Browns’ secondary just, sort of, forgot that he can run deep, leading to a 42-yard and a 72-yard touchdown. Njoku, as a tight end mind you, scored his only touchdown while outrunning defensive backs on the 71-yard reception (during which the hyped possessed me and I threw my notes across the room). He also had a 22-yard and a 31-yard reception.


For the other receivers, Jared Cook, Keenan Allen, and Donovan Peoples-Jones all had 12+ yards per reception, 29+ longs, and 70+ receiving yards.


Chargers RB Austin Ekeler won some fantasy games in Week 5. The former Western Colorado Mountaineer finished the game with three total touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving), 53 receiving yards, and 117 rushing yards.


Ekeler’s performance marks only the second time Cleveland has allowed over 10 fantasy points to a back this season - and he got 34. Currently, Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry are the only running backs with two games in the RB single game point total top 10.

 

It’s Fourth? Yeah, We’ll Go for It.







In Week One, the Browns converted a red zone fourth down against the Chiefs and I was all for it. After this week, can we just take three from the field goal?

Through the first five games, Cleveland has the most fourth down attempts in the league at 11, tied with the Lions. Despite this, Cleveland has only converted five attempts, placing them as the eleventh-worst team in terms of fourth down efficiency.

On the other hand, the Chargers matched this fourth down aggressiveness while having the second-best conversion percentage at over 91%. In fact, midway through the fourth quarter, the aforementioned pass interference occurred on fourth down. Still counts as a conversion.

Just four plays later, Herbert connected with Keenan Allen for a first on fourth and eight, on their way to a touchdown which would tie the game at 35. This was the second time Herbert connected with Allen for a fourth down conversion.


Closings Thoughts and More Injuries

As the Ravens continue to find walk-off wins against the league’s weaker teams, Baltimore tops the AFC North at 4-1 while Cleveland and Cincinnati are tied for second at 3-2. With Cincinnati facing a Lions team that simply cannot catch a break and Baltimore against the juggernaut Chargers, a 4-2 record for both teams is likely. For Cleveland to keep pace, they must beat the league’s only undefeated team. Either team can prove something this Sunday. Either the Cardinals’ versatility and talent make them a genuine contender in the NFC or the Browns’ show they can not only keep up with the better teams but also win.

Neither team will find it easy.

Arizona has had three positive COVID tests in the past week and is only one more positive test away from moving into intensive protocols. With this, QB Kyler Murray and RB Chase Edmonds had limited practice opportunities on Wednesday, both due to shoulder issues. Arizona’s Wednesday injury report had 11 players either limited or DNP.

Cleveland has had their injuries issues as well, listing 16 total players which includes RB Nick Chubb, RB Kareem Hunt, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Myles Garrett, T Jack Conklin, T Jedrick Wills, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greedy Williams, CB A. J. Green, and CB Greg Newsome II.

The backfield is banged up. The O-line is banged up. The D-line is banged up. The cornerback corps is decimated. The Browns need their bye week. Instead, they get two games in five days as they face the Denver Broncos for Week Seven Thursday Night Football.

**Nick Chubb was ruled out of Sunday’s game against Arizona. IR possible. My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined.