4 Ways The Referees Messed Up The New Orleans Saints Vs. New England Patriots Game

Look, the game is over. Saints lost. We can't go back and have a redo. There were some mistakes that the Saints made. There were quite a few that the refs made too. We're here to point those out with the 4 ways the referees messed up the New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots game. 

1. "The False False Start"

The first one that comes to mind was right before the 2 minute warning in the 2nd quarter. The Saints are down 7-17. It's 4th &1. They're going for it. Or at least are gonna try to draw the defense off-sides. When the defense moved into the neutral zone, causing the center to false start, that's what the NFL calls a Neutral Zone Infraction. It was VERY clear that's what happened. This would give the Saints a new set of downs, and continue on toward the end zone. However, the referees called a false start on the offense, backing them up to make it 4th & 6 forcing the Saints to punt it away.

Here's the video:

2. "Time Out...or Not"

In the 4th quarter, the Saints had the ball with 12 minutes and some change left. As the play clock runs down, Drew Brees signals for a timeout because he knows that he can't get the snap off in time before the play clock runs down. The play clock was at zero for at least another second when the Center hikes the ball...and the play starts. Brees rolls with it, and throws a pass intended for Jimmy Graham that is then intercepted. How on Earth did the referees not see THE QUARTERBACK call timeout?

3. "Bounce Pass"

With 3:29 left in the game, Tom Brady attempted a pass on first down to TE Michael Hoomanawanui. This was ruled a catch for 4 yards when the ball clearly bounced off of the field and into Hoomanawanui's hands. While Sean Payton could have thrown the red flag to challenge the catch, I see why he didn't, because he might need the timeout if the referees were to come out saying the ruling on the field stands (which they very well may have with the other calls they messed up on). Let's keep the bounce passes to basketball, shall we?

4. "The Sleeper Hold"

With :10 seconds left on the clock, the Pats were at the Saints 17 yard line. Down by 4, they had to go for the TD. And go for it they did. Tom Brady threw a pass into the end zone that was caught by Kenbrell Thompkins. There was a reason Brady was able to make that pass so easily though...Junior Galette was put into the sleeper hold by Nate Solder. Holding was not called when there was an obvious arm wrapped around Galette's neck as he neared Brady.

And just for assured reference. Here's a gif of that play.

So, leaving the Saints with :5 seconds on the clock, they tried one last ditch effort, but failed, and the game was over with the New England Patriots giving the New Orleans Saints their first loss of the season with a score of 30-27.

One dishonorable mention was the so called "unsportsmanlike conduct" call against Malcolm Jenkins on what was just a big ole "Hello" hit with his shoulder pad against a receiver that made a move toward him in the first place.

There's also been talk of the Patriots getting 4 time outs in the second half. That I'm unsure of, but there's a video that may show proof...Watch for yourself here:

With all of this being said, I'm not whining that the Saints lost. I'm simply giving examples of how the referees messed up in this game. I'm not saying that the referees lost the game, because there were plenty of missed opportunities, especially in the first half, that the Saints should have capitalized on, and just came up short.

What do you think?