I disagree with all of these "refs let them play..and didn't throw penalties on either team" posts. Any time this happens, invariably, the Patriots are going to get screwed. The calls do not "even out," because the Patriots are coached not to commit penalties. Of course, the Pats commit penalties, but they do not recognize when officials aren't calling them, and start to change their play as a result, because when that official decides to actually throw a flag, they know the consequences they'll face if they get hit with an untimely penalty.
Gronk continues to get mauled down the field, and there no calls. Yet, if he even touches a defender, he is the one getting hit with the flag. These calls will never "even out." Never. Yesterday, in the 2nd half, Pitt for some reason, started letting Gronk get off the LOS and once they did that, he was by them before they could grab him, and we saw the results. Cooks got absolutely manhandled throughout the Miami game by Xavien Howard, and it totally eliminated him.
I want the refs calling Patriots games based on the rules, because I'm 100% convinced that an evenly officiated game will usually benefit the Pats to the tune of a 3:1 ratio of penalties against the other team versus penalties against the Pats. For every taunting call they miss against the Pats (oh noes, it would have made the kickoff 15 yards further back), there are 10 calls against Gronk and Cooks that aren't made that would be automatic first downs and/or potentially huge gains. Throw the flag, and make the calls. A penalty is a penalty.