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The N.F.L. Confronts More Controversy, This Time on the Field

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The N.F.L. this season finally appeared to have accomplished its goal of “getting back to football” after several years of off-field scandals, from player misconduct to weekly protests during the anthem. But the league’s bounce-back season was marred during one of its most high-profile weekends, as officials in the two conference championship games made baffling, controversial calls that overshadowed otherwise thrilling matchups.

The calls — or non-calls — left legions of fans feeling their teams had been robbed of a chance to advance to the Super Bowl, and left others simply confused.