It’s hard to imagine how badly the NFL’s officials continue to screw the Saints in the biggest games, and yet, it continues to happen.
The biggest blown call of the 2018 playoffs took place in the NfC title game, when a Saints receiver was clearly taken down on a pass play, which would’ve set the Saints up with a potential first-and-goal scenario. No penalty was called, though, and the Saints went on to lose to the Rams in overtime. That blown call resulted in the NFL instituting its replay review system.
Fast forward just one year later, and somehow, the Saints got screwed again late — this time in the final play of Sunday’s game. It happened in their Wild Card Round game against the Vikings, when quarterback Kirk Cousins floated a pass toward tight end Kyle Rudolph in the end zone, on a third-and-goal scenario. Rudolph extended his arm and pushed off on Saints defensive back PJ Williams with one hand, then caught the ball for the game-winning touchdown.
But it sure looked to be pass interference — as Rudolph gained separation by pushing off — as you can see below.
Was this pass interference?https://t.co/NjQIctDtdN
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 5, 2020
It looked to be pass interference, as many of the rules experts indicated afterward. The Saints, once again, were screwed by the refs, and it’s inexcusable that Al Riveron’s crew didn’t at least stop the game to review the play, and possibly overturn it. Here’s what Riveron had to say about why.
Al Riveron, via pool reporter, on #Vikings' game-winning TD and official review: "Contact by both players, but none of that contact rises to level of a foul. This is consistent with what we've done all year long, left ruling on the field." (Except that weird Week 2 OPI on Dalvin)
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) January 5, 2020
Another year, another bad call going against the Saints in the playoffs on a key play.
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