Ball don’t lie: 3 worst calls from Week 15 in the NFL

1. Saints robbed of a challenge

Is this a sign of things to come for New Orleans? If any team’s fanbase has a right to be consistently critical of every officiating crew, it’s Saints fans. New Orleans was robbed of a trip to the Super Bowl after an uncalled pass interference call by Nickell Robey-Coleman. Saints fans, look away:

Al Riveron apologized to Payton personally for that no-call. Payton admitted that the Saints and the city of New Orleans would likely never get over it.

So, yes, while this was a regular season game, the Saints have precedent to be upset with just about every bad call, or no-call, thrown their direction.

In Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Chiefs, New Orleans was robbed a challenge after this rather obvious touchdown wasn’t overturned.

Taysom Hill would score one play later, but the fact officials didn’t give Hill the touchdown on the first attempt — or overturn their poor call via the benefit of instant replay — could be an omen of things to come.

For Saints fans, we hope that’s not the case.

Recap: The calls are getting worse by the week, which is a bad sign for the NFL playoffs. When the magnitude of the moment increases, a team overcoming seemingly unforeseen events becomes tougher. I’m giving a C- for the week, and my previously-held optimism for a ref controversy-less playoffs is fading.