I can only hope that the Patriots playoff games being on the National stage will make the refs and Big Al be at least someone cognizant of the fact that everyone will be watching and waiting for them to give the games to the Pats at every opportunity. Considering they have blatantly ****** over multiple teams who were playing against them this season, I would have to think fans of every other Franchise will be watching for it closely. The NFL cannot afford any more major bad press at this point.
For a sport that is in trouble with dropping numbers already, pissing off 31 other fan bases and making them doubt the authenticity of the game is not a good idea in the least. I doubt think it would ever force them to be completely impartial in Pats games, but hopefully they won't be able to be so blatant about it. Make no mistake, the Pats need the help this year. If they don't get it, they are very beatable.