ALL-TIME BAD CALL: Patriots Fans Are Calling This Play the Worst Decision of the Season After the Referee Made a Delayed Call AFTER the Pats Players Had Already Left the Field
NEW ORLEANS, LA – October 12, 2025 – The New England Patriots faced a heart-wrenching moment in their Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome, but it wasn’t the final score that had fans up in arms. A controversial referee decision—a late Offensive Pass Interference (OPI) call that erased a stunning 61-yard touchdown—has sparked outrage across the NFL community, with Patriots fans labeling it the “worst call of the season.” The call, made after the Patriots players had already left the field in celebration, has ignited debates about officiating competence and left a bitter taste in what was otherwise a hard-fought game.
The Play That Sparked the Firestorm
In the third quarter, with the Patriots trailing, quarterback Drake Maye launched a pinpoint 61-yard pass to wide receiver Pop Douglas, who sprinted into the end zone for what appeared to be a game-changing touchdown. The Caesars Superdome crowd fell silent, and Patriots players erupted in celebration, believing they had shifted the momentum. But the jubilation was short-lived.
As the Patriots offense began jogging off the field, a yellow flag was thrown—shockingly late—signaling an OPI penalty. The call, assessed against a Patriots receiver for allegedly pushing off a Saints defender, nullified the touchdown and pushed New England back 10 yards. Social media exploded with clips of the play, showing minimal contact and a flag that appeared only after a significant delay, prompting accusations of officiating bias and incompetence.
🚨🚨ALL-TIME BAD CALL🚨🚨
THE REFS JUST MADE UP AN OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE ON THE #PATRIOTS AFTER A 61-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
😳
THE REFS THREW THIS FLAG AN HOUR LATE AFTER THE PATS ALREADY WERE OFF THE FIELD — after the play.
OH. MY. GOODNESS. AWFUL.
pic.twitter.com/mXTXuZkW9V— Levels Sports (@LevelsPicks) October 12, 2025
“This is an ALL-TIME BAD CALL,” posted @LevelsPicks on X, with a video garnering over 45,000 views. “The refs threw this flag an HOUR late. The Pats were OFF THE FIELD.” Another fan, @BlockBuster_Guy, echoed the sentiment: “WILDLY late OPI call… worst call of the season. The touchdown was negated after the Pats left the field.” Even neutral observers, like @FletcherWDSU, chimed in: “Saints got bailed out… AWFUL call against Diggs… even NFL officials are saying this was terrible.”
Why the Call Was So Controversial
The controversy stems from multiple factors:
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Delayed Flag: The referee’s flag came so late that Patriots players had already begun their sideline celebrations. Video evidence shared on X (@6ixPicks) shows the flag appearing nearly 10 seconds after the play ended, raising questions about whether the officials were influenced by external factors, such as replay reviews or sideline discussions.
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Questionable Contact: Clips circulating on X (@Matt_DeGregorio) show the alleged OPI involving minimal contact between the receiver and the Saints defender. Many fans argued the push-off was negligible and within the realm of standard NFL physicality. “Calls like that make you question if a ref is on the take,” posted @canadayd08, reflecting the frustration.
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Game Impact: The nullified touchdown was a potential turning point in a close game. The Patriots, fighting to maintain their 3-2 record, lost crucial momentum, and the penalty shifted field position dramatically. While the final score isn’t detailed here, the call’s timing in the third quarter made it a pivotal moment, as New England struggled to regain their offensive rhythm.
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Perceived Makeup Call: Just plays later, the referees called a Defensive Pass Interference (DPI) on the Saints, which many fans and analysts (@BillKoch25) labeled a “makeup call” to offset the earlier controversy. This only fueled perceptions of inconsistent officiating, with @rsimpson_8 noting, “Most BOGUS and late pass interference call I’ve ever seen… then a makeup DPI call right after.”
Fan and Analyst Reactions
The reaction on X was swift and furious, with “Patriots” and “refs” trending in the United States. Posts racked up thousands of likes and retweets, with fans sharing memes and videos to vent their frustration. A particularly viral clip from @BadLarryBets showed the Patriots offense already on the sideline when the flag dropped: “Pass Interference was complete BS… flag so late Pats were on the bench.” The post received over 30,000 views, encapsulating the collective outrage.
WOW what just happened?
They just called the Pats on a WILDLY late OPI which might be the worst call of the season that I’ve seen. That was ugly as fuck. Wipes away a copy-paste TD connection with Douglas.
Now a DPI make-up call. This is embarrassing for Adrian Hill’s crew.
— Justin R / YT: BridgewatersFinest 🇨🇦 (@BlockBuster_Guy) October 12, 2025
Analysts also weighed in. @BillKoch25, a sports journalist, called the officiating crew “embarrassing,” while @FletcherWDSU noted that even some NFL officials privately admitted the call was flawed. The sentiment wasn’t limited to Patriots fans—Saints supporters acknowledged the call’s impact, with one user (@SaintsCSC) admitting, “We got a break there, but that was a terrible way to decide a play.”
Broader Implications for NFL Officiating
This incident adds fuel to ongoing debates about NFL officiating in the 2025 season. Fans and analysts have increasingly criticized inconsistent calls, with some calling for expanded replay reviews or automated officiating systems. The late OPI call in New Orleans joins a growing list of controversial decisions this year, including a similar disputed call in a Jets-Broncos game earlier in the day.
For the Patriots, the nullified touchdown stung not just because of the score but because it disrupted a critical drive led by their young quarterback, Drake Maye, who has been a bright spot in a transitional season (113/153 completions, 7 TDs). The team’s resilience was tested, but fans rallied behind players like WR Kayshon Boutte, who scored twice in the first half, as a silver lining in a game marred by officiating controversy.
What’s Next?
The Patriots (3-2 entering the game) will look to rebound from this setback as they continue their AFC East campaign. Fans are already calling for the NFL to address the officiating issue, with some demanding accountability from referee crews. “This crew should be fired,” posted @BadLarryBets, a sentiment echoed across X. Meanwhile, the Saints (1-4) benefited from the call but face their own challenges, with injuries to key players like RB Alvin Kamara (questionable, ankle) complicating their season.
For now, the “all-time bad call” will live on in Patriots lore, a painful reminder of how a single flag can change a game. As one fan (@6ixPicks) put it, “If this doesn’t get the NFL to fix their refs, nothing will.” Check NFL.com or the official Patriots X account (@Patriots) for updates on the game’s final outcome and any official statements on the call.
