ESPN’s deep dive into NFL officiating (penalties 2001-2024; coach challenges 2010-2024) finds no evidence of systematic bias against teams. Penalties don’t reliably predict outcomes, and totals even out across multiple seasons. Late penalties can swing games, but overall bias remains unsupported.

Challenge rates have fallen 47% since 2010; 2024 overturns were the lowest in five years (38%). Replay assist has grown, boosting accuracy and shortening delays. Coaches like Reid and Sirianni show high challenge success, while openness aims to curb conspiracy theories about the process.