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Another no-call for pass interference enrages Saints fans

NEW ORLEANS — After the “no-call heard ’round the world” in last season’s NFC championship game arguably cost the New Orleans Saints a trip to the Super Bowl, it doesn’t take much to rile up their fan base.

So when Saints receiver Tre’Quan Smith was clearly being held by Tarvarius Moore — clutched is the better word — during a pass late in the third quarter of New Orleans’ shootout against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, they couldn’t help but expect a flag.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton calls out from the sideline in the first half an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton calls out from the sideline in the first half an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

And when it didn’t come … well, you can imagine the boos that filled the Superdome while replays of the play continued to be shown on the stadium’s massive dual scoreboards.

As Fox Sports rules analyst Dean Blandino would later explain on the telecast, the referees got it right.

Here’s why: the pass play came on a punt, and there is no pass interference on gunners on punts, despite the fact it was thrown by backup quarterback Taysom Hill, who aligned as the punter on the play.

“This is absolutely the correct ruling,” Blandino began on the telecast. “When you’re in a punt formation and you attempt a fake, you can’t have pass interference on the widest man on either side of the formation.”

Nevertheless, Saints coach Sean Payton was enraged on the sideline, and he appeared to be asking for a hold, which could conceivably apply on a punt. He didn’t get that call — which couldn’t be reviewed — and the game continued.

The 49ers eventually prevailed, 48-46.

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