The NFL seems to be intent on killing the Panthers season this weekend, per the ref assignment

[Khyber53]

3 hours ago, Shotgun said:

NDAs 

Those never work in this day and age of Twitter feeds, scream sheets and podcasts. Everyone has an anonymous source willing to trade a favor or a few bucks for something off the record.

Besides, they almost never ever stand up in court.

[csx]

So  much for the tinfoil hats.

[Randolph Panther]

No for a lot of reasons. Still a small chance we could get the 3 seed if we win out. Also if we both win we could afford a tie the last game and still get in. 
Analytically speaking keep winning 

[Jon Snow]

Everyone in the stadium saw the RICO face mask except the referees. The eagles fan sitting next to me was saying, man you guys are getting screwed. I don’t know what it sounded like on the tv but the entire place was going crazy.

[Tr3ach]

1 hour ago, csx said:

So  much for the tinfoil hats.

I dont think so, this game seemed almost as badly officiated as last one.

[frankw]

I think the league and the refs may dislike Baker Mayfield even more than us.

[Shocker]

On 12/16/2025 at 11:41 PM, electro's horse said:

Panthers are killing their own season by trotting out lil Bryce 

[SurvivalSloth]

Despite the win, I think this post aged very well. Absolutely dreadful officiating today. 

[hepcat]

35 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Everyone in the stadium saw the RICO face mask except the referees. The eagles fan sitting next to me was saying, man you guys are getting screwed. I don’t know what it sounded like on the tv but the entire place was going crazy.

The game was officiated just about how I would have expected. It was poorly officiated enough to keep a manufactured close finish. Honestly it was genius holding Icky out of this game. He would have penalized for at least 2-3 drive killing false starts with this crew.

I have this feeling that our old friend Clete Blakeman is coming back to referee the final game of the season against Tampa. Hasn’t refereed a Panthers game since 2021.