Normally, ESPN would be celebrating over its rating for Monday night’s Denver-Atlanta game. The network did a 10 rating, with more than 15 million viewers tuning in. It marked the fourth highest audience on cable for 2012.

Yet it could have been better.

The inept replacement referees brought the game to a screeching halt in the first half. It took nearly an hour to play the first quarter. Nothing like watching confused officials trying to figure out what they’re doing.

The second half didn’t begin until nearly 11 p.m. ET. By that time, I’m guessing many fans, numbed by the inactivity, were ready for bed.

The end result had ESPN leaving money, as in ratings, at the table.

As I have written earlier, pace is of huge importance during a sports telecast. When things start to drag, viewers reach for their remotes.

I would imagine ESPN president John Skipper wasn’t pleased. Perhaps he even put in a call to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

I’m not blaming the replacement refs. They can’t be expected to do the same quality job as regular officials.

The NFL, though, has to do something to resolve this mess. Its partners, namely ESPN on Monday, are being impacted.

And so are weary viewers. Enough is enough.