NEW ORLEANS — All of it labored out ultimately for the Patriots, however they have been on the flawed facet of one of many more unusual flags thrown this season.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye hit huge receiver DeMario Douglas for a 61-yard landing early in Sunday’s 25-19 win over the Saints. Properly after the play was over, an official threw a flag because the Patriots have been celebrating ultimately zone for go interference on huge receiver Stefon Diggs, who was on the alternative facet of the sphere.
“On that play, we dominated blocking downfield by No. 8 early throughout the play,” referee Adrian Hill instructed ESPN’s Mike Reiss in a pool report. “So, if there’s a scenario the place a participant blocks downfield, it’s not a foul till a go is thrown, so that you form of put that within the financial institution. After which the go was thrown downfield later, that created the offensive go interference.”
The penalty was not introduced till the Patriots’ discipline purpose staff was on the sphere for an additional level.
“I used to be about to sit down down (on the bench),” Maye mentioned after the sport.
Hill was requested why the flag was thrown so late.
“The official was processing the play after which he got here to me over the 020 (official-to-official communications system). As a result of it was a long-developing play, he needed to rewind again to what occurred originally of the play, and course of that,” Hill mentioned.
Diggs was known as for one more shut offensive go interference penalty late within the sport.
“I’m by no means going to say it’s OPI,” Diggs mentioned after the sport.
Douglas mentioned he was confused by the decision since he was already on the sideline when it was introduced. He was glad to see the Patriots nonetheless rating a landing later within the drive when Maye linked to Kayshon Boutte ultimately zone.
