PHOENIX — In what amounted to one of his lengthiest defenses to date, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell brushed back criticism about the league’s officiating and said the on-field performance of calling games is as good as it has ever been.
Goodell’s defense comes in the wake of complaints that have proliferated across multiple layers of the game, from the coaching ranks to players, analysts and even one former league executive in recent days. It also comes on the heels of what appeared to be an unprecedented moment in the AFC championship, when a clock management error resulted in the Kansas City Chiefs being allowed a “do-over” on a third down during the fourth quarter of their 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.