Total Pro Sports
Football fans think the NFL refs “rigged” the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game before kickoff on Saturday.
Brad Allen and his crew were assigned to the Buccaneers-Panthers game at Raymond James Stadium. Carolina would clinch the NFC South with a victory. The Bucs need a win and a New Orleans Saints victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday to win the division.
Before kickoff, the @refereeinsider X/Twitter account made several notes about Brad Allen and the NFL refs for today’s game. Over the last three years, the favorites and home teams have thoroughly dominated in games officiated by Allen:
The NFL does NOT want the Panthers in the postseason🔒
Brad Allen has been chosen as the head official for this Panthers vs Buccaneers Saturday matchup, and he has a huge bias for favorites…
Under Allen last 3 years:
🔴 Favorites are 31-14 (69%)
🔴 Divisional favorites are… pic.twitter.com/c5ZPTBxHU2— Daily Ref (@refereeinsider) January 3, 2026
Per Pro Football Reference, Allen has only called one Panthers game since 2022. Nonetheless, fans already think that his crew decided to rig today’s big game in Tampa:
“Great….,” a Panthers fan wrote.
Great….
— Carolina Reaper 🌶️ 📈 (@BY9KING) January 3, 2026
“The nfl has too get Atlanta too lose too the saints thats the game,” said a user.
The nfl has too get Atlanta too lose too the saints thats the game
— McCoyINC (@TrevanJamalMcC) January 3, 2026
“Brad Allen and his garbage crew are working the game. This could be interesting,” a fan commented.
Brad Allen and his garbage crew are working the game. This could be interesting . #CARvsTB
— TheHandsomeRandall (@HandsomeRandall) January 3, 2026
“NFL stinks this year with refs…,” said a user.
NFL stinks this year with refs…
— Jay (@blyat322) January 3, 2026
“100% correct, you can see it in Bryce’s face. It’s like he already knows. The W-L pattern means nothing lol. It’ll come down to the Falcons and Saints game,” another wrote.
100% correct, you can see it in Bryce’s face. It’s like he already knows. The W-L pattern means nothing lol. It’ll come down to the Falcons and Saints game
— Maryland Superfan (@tpm5jg75tz) January 3, 2026
Good luck, Carolina.
