Another Sunday, another questionable call that goes against the Saints, but this time the team still came out on top in spite of it.
Early in the third quarter, with the Saints leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-7, it appeared as if New Orleans was about to catch a break that would have put them in total control of the game.
After Tom Brady had just connected with Chris Godwin on a 44-yard pass to put them at the Saints’ 13-yard line, Brady found running back Leonard Fournette who looked destined for a touchdown before the ball popped loose in the end zone.
The ball was recovered by Saints corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the end zone for a touchback.
But, because it was a turnover, the officials reviewed the play an determined that there actually was no fumble.
Instead, it was ruled that Fournette never maintained control of the ball and therefore an incomplete pass.
You be the judge:
Two plays later the Bucs were able to punch it into the end zone to narrow the score to 23-14. On Tampa’s next possession Brady found the end zone again to make it a 23-1 score by the end of the third quarter.
The Saints started the fourth quarter by settling for a field goal to make it a 26-21 game but the Bucs responded with a touchdown to take the lead on the very next possession when Brady connected with Cyril Grayson for a 50-yard score.
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Had the call on the field stood, things would have most definitely played out much differently. Even if the Saints could not score on that possession, they would have taken a two possession lead deeper into the third quarter, leaving the Bucs with less time to catch up.
But the Saints ultimately came out on top despite the call that changed the trajectory of the game. Saints kicker Brian Johnson gave them a 29-27 lead with 1:44 remaining and cornerback P.J. Williams picked off Brady on the next possession and returned it for a touchdown, sealing a 36-27 victory for New Orleans.
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