The 2018 regular seasons saw both the Saints and the Rams improve upon 11–5 records to both go 13–3. Challengable pass interference calls, however, would not be retained after the season. Following the controversy, the NFL instituted a new rule for the 2019 season that would allow coaches to challenge pass interference calls. The Rams subsequently lost Super Bowl LIII to the New England Patriots, who also defeated them in their previous appearance.
Although both the NFL and Robey-Coleman admitted that a penalty should have been called, league commissioner Roger Goodell determined that the no-call was an act of human error by the referees and not enough to reverse the game's outcome. The no-call was met with backlash, particularly in New Orleans where Saints fans attempted to have the game replayed and boycotted the season's Super Bowl. The Saints took possession first in overtime from winning the coin toss, but an interception from Saints quarterback Drew Brees led to Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein scoring the winning field goal. Instead, the Saints settled for a field goal with 1:41 remaining, which the Rams matched on their next possession to force overtime. Had the penalty been called, the Saints could have run out the clock further and/or scored a go-ahead touchdown to virtually seal their victory. In a tight contest that was tied at 20 by the fourth quarter, the Saints reached the Rams' 13-yard line while less than two minutes remained, but the uncalled pass interference caused their drive to stall. Both finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, with the Saints owning the tiebreaker from their prior win over the Rams. The Saints entered the game slightly favored to win, due to being the NFC's top seed, having homefield advantage at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and previously defeating the Rams in the regular season. The outcome, however, was mired in controversy because of unpenalized pass interference committed by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman on Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis near the end of regulation, which would be nicknamed the " NOLA No-Call". The visiting Los Angeles Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints 26–23 in sudden death overtime to advance to their first Super Bowl since the 2001 season. The 2018 NFC Championship Game was a National Football League (NFL) game played on January 20, 2019, to determine the National Football Conference (NFC) champion for the 2018 NFL season. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Chris Myers Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana However, the refs flagged the block, beyond belief, as a blindside block, which negated the first down and backed the Saints up 11 yards.The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, the site of the game
There was a blitz coming from Dallas but it was picked up late in the backfield with what appeared to be a good block that fans have seen 1,000 times watching football and Hill completed a pass for the first down. Midway through the third quarter trailing by only three points, Taysom Hill dropped back to pass. That was apparently too much to ask for from the Saints. The last thing they needed was an awfully officiated game to cost them even more of an opportunity. Missing Alvin Kamara, their two starting offensive tackles, and many others, the New Orleans Saints were already behind the 8-ball against the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. The New Orleans Saints thought they had the first down against the Cowboys but, instead, the refs made one of the worst calls in NFL history. By Cody Williams 8 months ago Follow Tweet