do you believe in fixed games?

Question

give me examples and details... it would be interesting to hear. thanks guys!

NFL to be more specific

and i mean believe in them as in do they exist...

For example, in the closing game of the 2004 season, the Indianapolis Colts faced the Denver Broncos. With a win, the Broncos would advance to the playoffs as a wild card and face the Colts as their first round playoff opponent. It would seem the Colts had little incentive to win as their loss would ensure that they would play a team they dominated in the 2003 Wild Card game. Sure enough, the Colts rested their starters, lost the game, and went on to blow out the Broncos the following week in the playoffs.

Perhaps the most notable example of this was when the San Francisco 49ers, who had clinched a playoff berth, lost their regular-season finale in 1988 to the Los Angeles Rams, thereby keeping the New York Giants (who had defeated the 49ers in the playoffs in both 1985 and 1986, also injuring 49er quarterback Joe Montana in the latter year's game) from qualifying for the postseason; after the game, Giants quarterback Phil Simms angrily accused the 49ers of "laying down like dogs."

these are more examples of game throwing strategies... but im looking for actual "fixing" in context

Answer 1

Not sense the mob ran Vegas.

Answer 2

NO. There's too many people that would have to be "in on it" for there to be a true fix in on an NFL game. There's no way that you could pull this off without SOMEONE giving it up.

Refs modifying the outcome of a game? Now, that's something that I believe happens.
For Example: Does anyone else wonder why refs call SO many pass interference calls that are obviously bogus on the Colts' opponents? All last season, this was SO prominent, and even this year. I've seen like three games where Reggie Wayne should have been called for OFFENSIVE Interference, and, somehow the defender gets the PI call.

OK, you colts fans. Before you get too upset, this is just one very prominent example that I've observed. Another.. All last season, does anyone else think it's odd that the Chargers O-line had SO few holding calls last year? I'm not taking anything away from Tomlinson, BUT... No offensive line holds that little. Just a little help from the Zebras.

Answer 3

I 100% believe in fixed games; but it's not about ratings or NFL golden boys (read Colts/Cowboys) - it's about money.

Check your spreads each week; watch what moves and doesn't. If a spread moves by a point or more (disregard if it's because Tom Brady has a virus and can;t play or something) that means lots of money is on that team.

The other thing to look for is the "WTF?" spread. You see a silly looking spread on Tuesday - like the Texans giving 1.5 points to Saints. And that spread doesn't move during the week (who wouldn't take New Orleans and the points, right?) - that's a candidate. Keep an eye on that one, and if the spread stays put and Texans win, you'll see what I mean.

2 cases from this year:

Week 6: TB at home gives 2.5 to TEN - TB in 3-2 at this point and TEN is 4-1 (only loss to IND). The spread holds all week; Vince Young leaves game in 2nd half, TB wins by 3. All sorts of awful calls including an INT where the DB clearly stepped out of bounds - it was even reviewed and not overturned.

Week 9:
IND getting 6 from NE; the spread started at about 4.5 to 5 points and climbed to 6 by Sunday. NE had covered 8 for 8 so far, and hadn't had a game they won by less than 17. So of course the whole world puts $ on NE to cover such a small spread - eveidenced by the increased points during the week. The rest, as everyone knows, was a close game in which every call went against the Pats- some of the worst calls imagineable. It didn't matter who won, you see, it just had to stay close.

Just a few bad calls, carefully placed throughout a game changes the outcome drastically. That's how it works.


EDIT - The HOU/NO game opened at an incredible 2.5 (favoring Texans) and has shifted to 1.5 due to money being bet on Saints. This one smells, mark my words.

Answer 4

In his late 1980s book on organized crime & the NFL, Interfererence, author Dan E. Moldea stated the last known time someone was approached to "throw" a game was a referee. The ref immediately reported the incident to NFL security.

I believe that is still the case - a wise-guy would need to get to the officials, just like with the NBA - the salaries for the stars are much too high for someone to risk everything for what would be a small payout to them.

Legend has it - though - in the Colts-Giants NFL title game (called by many, "The Greatest Game Ever Played"), Colts owner Carol Rosenbloom was screaming into coach Weeb Ewbank's headset not to kick a field goal to win the game on that last drive.....it has been said Rosenbloom had bet a ton of cash and a winning FG would not have won the bets he placed down.

Also, Redskins legendary QB Sammy Baugh claimed for years the 73-0 pasting the Giants put on them in a title game was caused by Washington players "laying down" due to disputes with the club owner.....and the great Bubba Smith has stated the Jets upset of the Colts in Super Bowl III may have been caused by wise-guys getting to some of his teammates.

Answer 5

i think that the NFL setup the draft last year so the saints could get reggie bush and then fixed it so the saints won their first game back in new orleans

Answer 6

It would be a lot harder to do in football as to truly fix a game would take several players. And these could be replaced if playing badly. I cant think of any specific games where I would say it happened

Answer 7

I wouldn't be surprised if some refs are in on calling some games a certain way...but as far as teams, coaches, and players...no...

Answer 8

Only in the NBA

Answer 9

no

Answer 10

no...