The Patriots came away with a win on Sunday in New Orleans, holding on in the second half for a 25-19 victory over the Saints, their third straight victory to push their record to 4-2. While there were several sterling throws from quarterback Drake Maye–who was 18-for-26 for 261 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions–there were two that he made that were called back by highly questionable calls on star receiver Stefon Diggs.
One play in the first quarter saw Diggs get tangled with defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry on a short route while Pop Douglas went long for a touchdown that was completed by Maye. It appeared that Diggs and McKinstry were merely doing the standard back-and-forth pushing, but Diggs was flagged on the play, negating Douglas’s catch.
Another came with 10:15 to go in the fourth quarter, as Diggs got open down the sideline. Maye laid a perfect pass on Diggs, who made the catch falling down. But Diggs was hit with another penalty, as a minor touch on Quincy Riley’s shoulder was deemed interference.
Patriots Win Eased Unfairness of Calls
The fact that the Patriots won the game tempered any Diggs anger about the calls, and after the game, he was sanguine about the situation. But he made clear he wants the NFL office to look at the plays.
“I don’t really be tripping, to be honest. I try my best to make plays and catch the ball when they come to me,” Diggs said. “When I get (back) hopefully we can submit them to the league to see if it was supposed to be called or not. But I don’t cry over spilled milk.”
If not cry, Diggs would at least like to strenuously object on the two OPIs.
“I would love to complain about them. I haven’t got to watch it yet. Hopefully, I get some eyes to it soon,” Diggs said. “I’m a receiver. I’m always saying it didn’t happen, so we’ll see how it goes. I wish they could take it back.”
Stefon Diggs Calls Explained by Referee
Referee Adrian Hill explained the officials’ angle after the game.
Said Hill: “On that play, we ruled blocking downfield by number eight, early during the play. So, if there is a situation where a player blocks downfield, it’s not a foul until a pass is thrown, so you kind of put that in the bank. And then the pass was thrown downfield later, that created the offensive pass interference.”
Patriots Did Not Need a Big Diggs Day
Diggs did not have a big day after having strung together back-to-back 100-yard games, but the good news for the Patriots is that it didn’t matter. Maye was as aggressive as he has been throwing the ball downfield on Sunday, and the good news is that Patriots speed weapons showed up.
That starts with a five-catch, 93-yard day by Kayshon Boutte, who had two touchdowns. Douglas did have a 53-yard catch in the game, totaling three catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, by far his best day of the season.
Diggs caught all three passes thrown his way, for 28 yards.
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