NFL Rush to Appease Gamblers After Blown Pittsburgh Steelers Call

The speed with which the NFL reacted to a play that had no bearing on the game's outcome shows how important the league considers fair gambling results.

The National Football League continues its campaign to appear innocent of any gambling connections, yet recent events lead observers to believe the league is intensely aware of the popularity gambling generates for it.

The NFL has reacted quickly to the bad call that put a dubious end to the Sunday night game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Diego Chargers. The league announced there will be an adjustment of the rules regarding instant replay.

The game ended with the Steelers kicking after having taken an 11-10 lead, with only seconds remaining. The Chargers attempted several laterals on their return, hoping to keep the play alive. Steeler Toy Polamalu instead caught the ball and ran it in for a Steelers touchdown.

The game result was not in question, but the officials summoned the teams back from the locker rooms for an extra-point try that supposedly made no difference. At this juncture, officials examined the replay, ruled that San Diego players had committed an illegal forward pass on the play, and ruled the game over, 11-10.

Afterwards, officials admitted the call was mistaken, and despite the penalty, the Steelers touchdown should have counted. The NFL doesn't generally like rule changes in mid-season, but it has moved quickly to allow officials a second look at instant replay if needed, a look presently forbidden.

Although the game result remained unchanged through all this, the gambling line was Pittsburgh by four, and upset Steelers bettors may have lost as much as $50 million on the blown call. Las Vegas casino rules pay on the official final, and by that basis the Chargers covered.

Ed Crumley, Online Casino Advisory sports analyst, says, "The speed with which the NFL reacted to a play that had no bearing on the game's outcome shows how important the league considers fair gambling results. To change a rule in mid-season means Commissioner Goodell knows, despite all public denial, that wagering is the driving force behind football's popularity.

"Further, consider that the teams were summoned to kick the extra point after having entered the locker room. College waves the point off, as the college rules are only designed to generate a winner. But every point may matter to totals, teasers, and other bets, even if the betting line result is over. The NFL may want to pursue an image free of gambling influence, but that image is a lie."