As with the previous three games of the weekend, it started out as a blow out, but Green Bay slowly made a comeback which eventually led to a 45-45 overtime playoff game.

In the first drive of OT, it looked like Green Bay were about to go three and out (after winning the coin toss), Aaron Rodgers was attacked and lost the football. One of the Cardinal’s defenders scooped up the fumble and ran the ball in for a touchdown. Game over?

It sure did seem like the game was over and in the eyes of the Fox broadcasters and the NFL it was. About 20 seconds after the live play and game ended, FOX replayed the final play in slow motion. Watch closely:

Mere seconds after the ball is knocked out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands, the Cardinal’s defender’s hand is on Aaron Rodgers’ facemask – and this time we’re watching it in slow motion. The NFL refs totally missed this play and I believe the Green Bay Packer’s were totally robbed.

About 20 minutes after tweeting about this, I visited NFL.com and was surprised to find this image RIGHT ON THEIR HOMEPAGE:

NFL.com Features the Aaron Rodgers Facemask Play!

Now I may not be the most technical of football fans, but I highly believe that if the refs called this facemask penalty on the Cardinals, the touchdown wouldn’t have stood. I may be wrong though. NFL experts, please feel free to comment and let me know what would’ve or could’ve happen if the penalty was called.

I can’t help but lose some respect for the NFL and their referees once again for missing a huge penalty, in a huge game, in the final moments in a call that would’ve most definitely changed the outcome. As a football fan, this pisses me off.

One last thing I should mention – I’m not a Packers fan.

-foochuck