What each person has to decide is if they believe that any of these multi-billion dollar sports leagues are on the up and up. Considering how I feel about the NBA, Soccer, Boxing, etc., I don't think it's hard to imagine the NFL being just as manipulative. Considering what has happened to the Rams in particular with the Spygate episode for example, I can't honestly believe that they aren't above manipulating things.
When I see things like the Seattle/GB hail mary that was called a TD instead of an interception I discount the idea that it is just my bias for my own team that is coloring my perception.
The NFL is just as manipulative as any of those other leagues but I would say they are better at hiding it. Not that they successfully hide it but they aren't nearly as egregious in doing it. So, comparing total number of penalties doesn't really say much. As with the NBA, it isn't the number of fouls called it's the timing of those calls. Just one or two can really affect the outcome of a game IMO.
And as much as I'm aware that my own bias is a part of the equation, I'm convinced some referees call games against the Rams with a bias. This whole petition thing won't get the league to change crews...that would be a crippling precedent but it will affect how this crew handles this game. Whether that benefits the Rams is yet to be seen but they will be calling things differently than if none of this came up.
