The New Orleans Saints were on the wrong end of one of the more egregious pass interference no-calls in recent memory, which led to pass interference becoming a reviewable play. So, as you should expect, Saints fans are extra sensitive to any no-call that goes against them.
But during Sunday’s showdown between New Orleans and the San Francisco 49ers, the NFL officials were right to keep the penalty flags in their pockets. And the Niners were smart to take advantage of the rule.
Late in the third quarter, the Saints lined up in a punt formation and called a fake with Taysom Hill attempting a pass to Tre’Quan Smith. Tarvarius Moore, though, was all over Smith as the pass fell incomplete. There were no flags, and the Saints fans in New Orleans were livid. Those Saints fans, though, didn’t know the rule.
#Saints fans will protest all off-season and force the #NFL to change the rules to allow pass interference on punt plays.pic.twitter.com/tPJZV6fBpe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 8, 2019
Per NFL rules, when the offense lines up in a punting formation, defensive pass interference cannot be called. Otherwise teams would be able to run fake punts with passes to the gunner in hopes of drawing easy pass interference penalties.
The Niners evidently knew that and didn’t let Smith get any space to make an attempt at the catch. Though a holding penalty arguably could have been called, that wasn’t a reviewable penalty.
Fake punt/pass by Taysom Hill. Great throw to Tre’Quan Smith… but the 49ers DB is allowed to bear-hug him so he can’t get back to ball.
Sean Payton yells: “That was holding!”
The NFL rules are a complete mess. And it just never seems to not make sense in the #Saints’ benefit pic.twitter.com/6OCWt5Mvnu
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) December 8, 2019
Still, there was plenty of confusion over the no-call with even NFL Red Zone’s Scott Hanson completely baffled and unaware of the rule. Other fans had no idea that pass interference could not be called on a fake punt.
This isn’t pass interference?!?!?!?!? #Saints #49ers #SFvsNO pic.twitter.com/7akWERGlSW
— Scott Barrett (@SOHbarrett) December 8, 2019
How is that not pass interference on the 49ers? And how does Payton not challenge?
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) December 8, 2019
Sean Challenge that call for pass interference.. 🤦♀️🤦♀️
Oh so it can’t be that on a punt so you can do whatever you want— Peggy (@Pegredd) December 8, 2019
Damn Saints challenge that call! That’s a total pass interference.
— BigCardinalFan (@CardinalBig) December 8, 2019
Why didn’t the Saints challenge that pass interference call? Looked obvious to me.
— 🦆🦆🦆 (@360FFB) December 8, 2019
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