An NFL-sponsored clown car was involved in another crash on Clown Alley Sunday after a horrific clock stoppage nearly cost the Washington Commanders game against the New Orleans Saints.
With the Saints trailing 20-13 and trailing late in the fourth quarter, New Orleans QB Spencer Rattler completed a pass to tight end Roster Morrow for a crucial fourth-and-3. Moreau was brought down near the goal line with 11 seconds left. . He was tackled on the inbounds, and the Saints had no timeouts, so the players quickly got up and prepared for the next play due to the running clock.
And the clock did move…for 2 seconds.
And strangely, when the clock hit 9 seconds, it stopped for about 3 seconds and then started running again. The pause in the countdown gave the Saints time to set up and spike the ball with three seconds left.
New Orleans scored a touchdown on the next play.
The two-point conversion attempt failed and the game ended with the Commanders winning 20-19. However, the Saints never had a chance to score a touchdown and time should have expired.
After the game, referee Sean Hochuli gave an interview to pool reporters, but the incident did not restore the confidence of the fans, who were furious.
“At the end of the game, on the third-to-last play, the Saints completed a pass in front of the goal line, but the clock continued to tick and appeared to stop at nine seconds. I was wondering if there was an explanation for the stoppage. ” asked the reporter.
“In that situation, the officer in charge accidentally stopped the clock,” Hochuli said. “The clock must never stop.”
When asked if he had considered reviewing the case, Hochuli gave a short and to-the-point response.
“Luke, that's all I can do for you,” Hochuli said. “Because the officer in charge accidentally stopped the clock at nine seconds, it will not be subject to review.''
Great job everyone. In reaction to this horrific error, X number of users were furious and questioned the referee's motives.
“I can't believe there's any incentive for something like this,” one Xuser wrote. “This was far from a normal officiating error and it certainly made a big difference to a lot of people.”
Another Some people have to have it. It's embarrassing what they miss or waste every week.”
“Suspend the officials and investigate,” someone else suggested.
What's even more frightening is that this wasn't the only frightening call the Hochuri crew received that day.
Dante Fowler Jr. was called for roughing the passer on a play that would have likely killed off a Saints drive near midfield.
Again, unless NFL officials make inexplicably bad decisions and the league provides no discipline or redress, people will insinuate and blame gambling. There is no conclusive evidence that the league has a gambling problem. But there is ironclad, undeniable evidence that the league has problems with the credibility and competency of its officials.
It's time to clean it up.
