After an eventful weekend of two thrilling conference championship overtime finishes that resulted in the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots facing off in Super Bowl LIII, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding the result. Many people have been very outspoken on a blatant no call on a pass interference by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman that changed the outcome of the game. After the play, the Saints kicked a field goal to go up by three with just under two minutes left, but would’ve been able to run off about a minute and a half of clock had the penalty been called, which would’ve likely resulted in New Orleans going to the Super Bowl. Now, many people are referencing a crazy rule that gives commissioner Roger Goodell the power to replay the game from the penalty (give up hope Saints fans, it’s not actually going to happen), or at least asking for pass interference calls and no calls become reviewable plays next season. These fans are fighting for a just cause, but I believe that a more important rule change should be brought to the NFL’s attention after this weekend.
In the AFC Championship, the Chiefs and Patriots had a historic battle, with the legendary Tom Brady and soon-to-be MVP winner Patrick Mahomes exchanging touchdowns down the stretch to force overtime. However, the bonus football was brief. The Patriots won the coin toss, chose to receive the football, and engineered a 75 yard touchdown drive that had three incredible third and long completions by none other than Tom Brady. 13 plays, 75 yards, four minutes and 52 seconds. Game over. All Brady and no Mahomes when the game mattered the most.
To me, this sequence was insanely alarming. Either side that coin landed on, I believe the game would’ve ended on one drive, but that’s not important. The 41 year old legend got the ball and scored while the 23 year old stud sat on the bench and watched helplessly. Does this not alarm the NFL? Patrick Mahomes is a unique and special playmaker and is unlike any quarterback this league has ever seen. He’s a bright young kid who’s never been in trouble and can be a great role model to children that are currently falling in love with other sports. Patrick Mahomes has the potential to become the face of this league for the next fifteen years, so should he spend overtime on the bench? Absolutely not. Patrick Mahomes is potentially the face of the NFL’s future, and the league’s poor overtime rules just denied their potential most marketable player for the next decade to create a career-defining moment. The NFL should change their overtime rules in order to prevent this situation from happening again and ensure that both teams get an opportunity on both sides of the ball, especially when the guy who doesn’t get a chance could be making billions for the NFL for years to come.