NFL scoring is on a historic pace. Thank the refs

Pick a stat. Any stat. Take Dak Prescott’s 1,690 passing yards, which are on pace to smash Peyton Manning’s single-season mark. Or the Green Bay Packers’ 38 points per game, which would be the most ever. Or the entire NFL. Through four weeks, teams are averaging 25.7 points — over two more than the 72-year-old league record.

NFL offenses have been accelerating for a while now. Rule changes, prolific quarterbacks and innovation have been their catalysts. But this? This is an explosion.

And one primary source?

Referees.

NFL officials are throwing flags at decade-low rates. They’re calling offensive holding less than in any of the previous 25 seasons. And as former NFL VP of officiating Dean…