Replacement Referees

The 'replacement referees' have been a topic discussion through out the entire NFL season, including the pre-season.  What baffles me is that the NFL has preached player safety and representing the NFL with words like integrity and pride.  Should we as fans not turn those words back on the NFL. Is the integrity of the game being maintained with these replacement referees? No.  Can the NFL have pride in the product in which they are providing fans who shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars? No.  I believe the NFL needs to have an agreement in place before Sundays games begin.  Not only are games dragging out longing than a Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game; but the outcome of games are in the hands of D-3 referees.  In my opinion, this problem is a lack of respect for the fans and those that put their livelihood at stake each day to play a violent game.  If something horrendous occurs on the field with the replacement referees the NFL will have a lot of explaining to do.

Falcons Spoil Manning's Return to Monday Night

Peyton Manning struggled early as two of his first four passes were picked off by the Falcons and three on his first three possessions.  The Falcons took a commanding 20-0 lead before Manning and Demyrius Thomas hooked up for a 16 yd Touchdown pass right before the end of the half.  In the second half the Falcons offensive got into a groove.  As Matt Ryan was able to find Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez through out the opening drive as they went down and scored to make it 27-7.  Peyton Manning then returned to form and made it close late.  Operating two touchdown drives in the second half making the score 27-21 before the Falcons iced the game on a Michael Turner first down run.

Peyton ended the night going 24/37 for 241 yards, 3 interceptions and 1 touchdown and
Matt Ryan went 24/36 for 219 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

The Falcons start 2-0 and have the explosive Cam Newton  and the Carolina Panthers coming to town.
The Broncons drop to 1-1 and will play the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon.

More NFL coverage coming Thursday and Friday!