A very interesting statistic on refs overwhelmingly throwing more penalty flags than ever throughout the years

In 1994 the refs for the entire year threw 2800 total flags 

Fast forward to 2024 and the refs have thrown a total of 4,260 total flags.

And are on pace to crush last year's record with the 2025 season still pending

Mostly penalties have resulted in offensive holding and off sides.

They use to let the players do just that and play football, Real football but now the refs are in complete control with flag football only type contact....if that!

Thoughts on to why the dramatic increase in penalty flags being thrown by the Zebras?

They are like rodeo clowns now. They are out to protect the players instead of officiating the game. 

That's a lot of flags.

There's more rules now that draw penalties

and better camera work that scrutinizes the refs' work

which makes them make the call so they don't look bad.

Way more money involved.  Protecting their investment.  Just plain and simple

It's killing the flow of the game.

It's called "taking a page out of the NBA lol"

When the Bulls got screwed over by Lebron and the Heat, then all the Warrior/Cavs finals. Ain't no way it's possible to go to 7 straight Finals appearances without the whistles.

It definitely is killing the flow of the game.  And I’d love to see some sort of stat/metric on % of flags thrown in the 4th quarter in 1 score to 10 point games.   

How about this 12 men on the field flag when the replay shows only 11 men?  Refs caught cheating red handed.

Specific data on flags in that narrow game window isn't publicly aggregated into a single percentage, but league-wide trends show that roughly 23% to 26% of all penalties occur in the fourth quarter.

Key Factors for Close Games

Off officiating variation: While the league average is steady, specific crews vary wildly; some officials throw 60% more flags in the fourth quarter than others.

Play volume: In games within 10 points, teams typically pass on nearly 90% of plays when trailing, which increases the likelihood of high-frequency penalties like Defensive Pass interference.....hmmm

Imagine the lack of flags of games in the 70's.  It must have been like UFC football. Players got away with a lot of actions that would now draw flags. 

@UglyKidJoe

Imagine the lack of flags of games in the 70's. It must have been like UFC football. Players got away with a lot of actions that would now draw flags

Yep! When real football was played with real men and Refs that would let them play the game as such.

A little grab of a hand or a slight contact with the helmet was never ever called with the game being played on and continued.

Just makes the game that much less interesting and enjoyable to the real fans. For me personally I just can’t find an edge anymore. You have to pick the right side or total and pray to God that the refs don’t kill you. If you’re good enough to handicap these games and be on the right side of the officiating enough to be profitable then God bless you. You have a gift.

@brn2loslive2wi

 Just makes the game that much less interesting and enjoyable to the real fans. For me personally I just can’t find an edge anymore. You have to pick the right side or total and pray to God that the refs don’t kill you. If you’re good enough to handicap these games and be on the right side of the officiating enough to be profitable then God bless you. You have a gift.

This! 

There is the human factor in officiating, that the rules are open to interpretation from different people. Perhaps the rules are not written clearly enough.

Well, they made the rules more against the defense so that lends to more penalties because the slightest touching especially of a QB and a flag is thrown

this for more scoring and offense add the new kick off format you have the offense on the 35 yard line. 

I’ve done some research and I’ve noticed a trend that’s hit this 2025 season with a win rate of 88.9% an impressive 56-7 record on 10 point teasers.

Basically you look at the games selected for the week based off the trend and you pick the 3 games on a 3 team 10 point teaser and you lower the over by 10 points and you can just sit and watch most teams go down the field and score due to todays new format of wanting more scores and offense.

Here’s an example for week 17

NFL [409] TOTAL 028-110 (B+10) (BALTIMORE RAVENS VRS GREEN BAY PACKERS)

NFL 407 TOTAL 043-110 (B+10) (ARIZONA CARDINALS VRS CINCINNATI BENGALS)

NFL [421] TOTAL 034½-110 (B+10) (TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS VRS MIAMI DOLPHINS)

Been doing this all year 

@AFNfootballnerd

I’ve done some research and I’ve noticed a trend that’s hit this 2025 season with a win rate of 88.9% an impressive 56-7 record on 10 point teasers.

Basically you look at the games selected for the week based off the trend and you pick the 3 games on a 3 team 10 point teaser and you lower the over by 10 points and you can just sit and watch most teams go down the field and score due to todays new format of wanting more scores and offense.

Here’s an example for week 17

NFL [409] TOTAL 028-110 (B+10) (BALTIMORE RAVENS VRS GREEN BAY PACKERS)

NFL 407 TOTAL 043-110 (B+10) (ARIZONA CARDINALS VRS CINCINNATI BENGALS)

NFL [421] TOTAL 034½-110 (B+10) (TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS VRS MIAMI DOLPHINS)

Nicely done with some very impressive stat percentages 

Please post Next week on this thread AFN I most definitely will tail and play your proposed plays because you proved your case in point and added to that 88.9% win rate that you have mentioned.

A Football Nerd indeed! 

All of you that bitch about the refs, go watch the WNBA. So sick of people trying to rip the best game in town down. Nothing better than the NFL and I love they are continuing to try to better the game. If you don't like it, stop watching and flip to CSPAN. 

@HitorMiss

Roger is that you? Triggered much? 

The refs in the NFL have been ruining the game for quite some time. God forbid anyone express that as fact. 

@jpitty

The refs in the NFL have been ruining the game for quite some time. God forbid anyone express that as fact

 Yep 

And if theirs anyone that has guaranteed job security that will never ever be taken away and replaced with Artificial Intelligence, it's make NO mistake about it....the referees of the National Football League.

Lmfao. Best game in town..

Lmfao. Best game in town..