NFL Admits Blown Pass Interference Call In Saints vs Rams Game: Report

BYKyle Rooney8.7K Views
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Refs admit that they "blew it" in NFC Championship.

The NFL league office has admitted that officials "blew it" during Sunday's NFC Championship Game, but that doesn't change the outcome of the game. 

Following the Saints' devastating 26-23 loss in overtime, head coach Sean Payton said he spoke with the league and they admitted to missing several calls on a third-and-10 play from the Rams' 13-yard line, with the score tied 20-20. 

In case you missed it, the play in question: 

"For a call like that not to be made, man, it's just hard to swallow. And then to get a phone call ..." Payton said, trailing off. He added: "We spoke initially, then I called to follow up. And the first thing [head of officials Alberto Riveron] said when I got on the phone -- 'We messed it up.'

"It was simple. They blew the call. They said it should never have not been a call," Payton said of the explanation he received. "They said not only was it interference, it was helmet-to-helmet. They just -- they couldn't believe it."

New Orleans settled for a field goal, but there was plenty of time for the Rams to set up kicker Greg Zuerlein with a 48-yard kick to force overtime. In the extra session, Zuerlein connected on a 57-yarder to send Los Angeles to the Super Bowl.

Nickell Robey-Coleman, the corner who got away with murder on the controversial play in the fourth, also admitted that he should've been flagged. After the win, he told Sports Illustrated's Robert Klemko: "Yes, I got there too early. I was beat, and I was trying to save the touchdown."


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