There was no shortage of discussion about officiating in the game between the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, which is never good for anyone really.
Patriots fans were especially peeved about some of the calls during the Week 6 clash in The Big Easy, with complaints that started early and continued throughout the game.
The first seemingly egregious call early in the first quarter when Patriots quarterback Drake Maye appeared to hit it big for a 61-yard touchdown pass to receiver Demario Douglas. However, as the Patriots celebrated in the end zone, a flag came flying in, as officials nabbed Stefon Diggs for offensive pass interference.
The evidence was, well, suspect.
Patriots Fans, Media Annoyed by ‘Baffling’ Officiating
Fans and media alike were miffed.
“That offensive pass interference penalty on Stefon Diggs that negates a MONSTER 61-yard Drake Maye to Demario Douglas touchdown has to be one of the softest, least impactful of all time,” one X user stated.
Longtime NFL reporter, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, said “some of the flags in the New England/New Orleans game are baffling. The OPI on (Diggs) that negated a TD is one of the weirdest calls I’ve ever seen.”
The officials weren’t done there, though, and Patriots fans were more than ready to let them know about their perceived shortcomings.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Diggs again was the subject of a questionable offensive pass interference call on a deep ball down the right side that might have helped the Patriots blow the game open. Instead, the big gain was called back.
In real time, Diggs appeared to push off. The replay, however, didn’t exactly support that claim.
Somehow, the call looked even more dubious on the very next play. That’s because on another deep bomb down the right sideline on the ensuing play looked like it could have been called defensive pass interference on the Saints.
“That Diggs OPI might be a worse call than one before, and I didn’t think that was possible,” Barstool Sports’ Eric Hubbs tweeted at the time.
Drake Maye, Patriots Offense Slowed by Questionable Calls
As ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted, “The Patriots have had 113 yards and a TD wiped out by offensive pass interference calls.”
Others were even more direct.
“This entire crew from the Patriots-Saints game should be fired tomorrow,” another X user said. “An absolute joke to make the calls they have made and not call DPI on the Hollins play. Embarrassing, WWF level officiating.”
“This game is an absolute sham, no illegal motion on Stevenson and no OPI on Diggs. NFL needs to investigate the referees on this Patriots vs. Saints game,” another X user demanded.
Noted Boston sports fan and media personality Bill Simmons was left scratching his head, too.
Coincidentally, the biggest play of the game might have been a call that went in favor of the Patriots. The Saints, trailing 25-19, were driving midway through the fourth quarter. Saints QB Spencer Rattler found tight end Juwan Johnson for a would-be first down. However, the Patriots challenged the play, saying Johnson fumbled, and after a lengthy review, the play was overturned.
New England didn’t score on the ensuing possession, but the Saints’ offense never regained its rhythm, and the Patriots did just enough to hold on for the six-point win.
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