At some point in life we all have experienced unfortunate or unfair situations. These miscues, mistakes, or uncontrollable occurrences can and have had an impact on many of us, including myself. As hurtful and disappointing as things can and will be, you have to eventually let go and move on from it. Rehashing situations isn’t always the best formula for closure or growth.
The New Orleans Saints are still seething from the no call of pass interference or helmet to helmet contact during the NFC Championship game in which the Rams defeated the Saints in overtime 26-23. Had the call been made properly by the sideline official, the Saints would have been awarded a first down at the 3 yard line with just 1:49 left on the clock and the Rams then only having 1 timeout remaining.
It is a fair assessment to say that blown call did cost the Saints a chance to potentially win the game in regulation. Head NFL official Bill Vinovich claims he didn’t see the play and he wasn’t on that sideline to view it up close either. The sideline official was present and saw everything, but never threw a flag.
After the play’s been viewed millions of times, it’s clear that Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman clearly hit Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis early and also made helmet to helmet contact, prohibiting his ability to make the catch. The end result was a 4th down for the Saints at the 13 yard line, in which they settled for a field goal.
This also gave the Rams the ball back with plenty of time to drive down the field and attempt a field goal to tie the game up, which they did, forcing it to overtime. What we’ll never know is what truly would have happened if the right call was made. There could have been a Saints turnover, via a bad snap or a fumble. A potential game winning chip shot field goal may have been blocked or missed. The end result just may have been the Saints running down the clock and kicking the winning score, leaving the Rams out of Superbowl LIII.
On behalf of New Orleans attorney Frank D’ Amico, a few Saints season ticket holders have filed a lawsuit against the NFL demanding that commissioner Roger Goodell allow the final minute of the NFC Championship game to be replayed vs the Rams. Obviously this isn’t going to happen since the Rams are already scheduled to play the New England Patriots in Atlanta for Superbowl LIII. D’Amico has cited Rule 17, Article 3, which states that the commissioner does have the ability to allow for a reversal of a result or a replayed game in the event of an extraordinary act.
Despite this being some language under the league rules, the NFL has never and will never set precedent of a game being replayed when the outcome has already been decided. Here’s a few key points to recognize despite all the disappointment from the Saints and their fans:
- After going up three points with under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Saints defense still had a chance to stop the Rams from tying the game.
- Even when the game went into overtime, the Saints won the coin toss and had the ball first. If they drive down the field and score a touchdown, the game is over.
- If they kick a field goal on the first drive of overtime and then their defense stops the Rams from scoring, the Saints also win the football game.
These things, of course, didn’t occur. What did happen is that Drew Brees was under pressure and his arm was hit by Dante Fowler, thus resulting in a wobbly pass that was picked off by Rams defensive back John Johnson. Even after the turnover, the Saints defense still had the opportunity to stop the Rams from getting into field goal range but they failed to do so.
I’m not dismissing the Saints or their fans from being frustrated, but filing lawsuits and posting billboards all over Atlanta isn’t going to change the outcome, for it will only escalate matters and make things worse. The best solution is to move on from this, even if it means months of sulking in disappointment behind the scenes.
As outrageous as the lack of pass interference was not being called, all of us (including the Saints and their fans) have made mistakes in life or a lack of judgement in key situations. There will be some serious discussions at league headquarters in New York during the off season regarding them potentially making pass interference plays reviewable. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out.
These things obviously can’t continue to happen, particularly in a Championship game with the Superbowl on the line. Senior VP of officiating Al Riveron clearly admits that the refs blew it, but just as life goes on, the Saints must continue marching in and marching on.