By Gene Kemmeter

The teams are set for the Feb. 3 Super Bowl LIII game, and plenty of television viewers have questions about whether that should be the true pairing. Both games Sunday, Jan. 20, went into overtime, with the Los Angeles Rams beating the New Orleans Saints, 26-23, first; and then the New England Patriots defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, 37-31.

Both games were suspenseful, and marked by carefully analyzed television replays to discern if the right officiating call had been made – with one exception, a non-call on a pass play that replays indicated should have been called for both pass interference and helmet-to-helmet contact.

The “Monday Morning Quarterbacks” were all over the non-call, both shortly after it wasn’t made and then after the game. Some were saying they couldn’t believe no official on the field saw the infraction, while others pointed out the helmet-to-helmet contact has been emphasized by the National Football League (NFL) to be called this season to end potentially damaging head injuries suffered by players.

Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis was trying to reach a pass thrown by quarterback Drew Brees inside the 10-yard line. Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman raced toward Lewis and hit him helmet-to-helmet before the ball arrived.

When no penalty was called by the officials looking at the play, NFL rules don’t allow coaches to appeal any non-call incidents, even though instant television replays clearly showed a penalty. However, Robey-Coleman will likely face a NFL fine for the helmet-to-helmet contact, which the NFL too often determines after the game when officials review replays.

The Patriots-Chiefs game was interrupted several times, particularly in the fourth quarter, by the use of “Instant Replay” regarding officials’ calls on plays.

One came on an apparent muffed punt by a Patriot returner, and the ball was recovered by the Chiefs. Lengthy video replays indicated the returner never touched the ball, so possession of the ball stayed with the Patriots.

Later, after the Chiefs took the lead in the game, an official called a diving, one-handed catch of a pass complete, and video replays indicated the call was correct. Replays also verified that a Chiefs’ player was offside on a play which resulted in a teammate’s interception, negating that interception.

The NFL has slowly acquiesced to increased use of instant replay in recent years, but seems adamantly opposed to expanding those limits. Officials on the field have to make split second decisions during high-speed activities and can’t see everything. Already the league uses instant replay to verify all judgment calls on scores and turnovers, with a supervisor at an off-site location overseeing decisions.

In the last decade, the NFL has instituted instant replay to verify fumbles, completed passes and ball carriers staying in bounds. The equipment is already in place to assist officials in making calls, now they just need the rules to allow its use. Assessing fines for penalties after the game is finished already shows officials are only human and miss things.

Sure, it’s only a game. But is that game being corrupted for other purposes? Football is big business, and every win is vital. Officials should have the opportunity to get every call right.