How Refs Explained Baffling Stefon Diggs Pass Interference That Wiped TD

DeMario Douglas broke off a 61-yard touchdown reception Sunday, only for it to be called back long after the play.

The Patriots wideout reeled in a deep ball in the first quarter of an eventful 25-19 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, going the distance for the score. But a late flag brought the play back, with fellow receiver Stefon Diggs getting whistled for an eyebrow-raising offensive pass interference.

Though the Patriots would score later in the drive, it stifled a great moment for New England’s offense.

“On that play, we ruled blocking downfield by No. 8, early during the play,” referee Adrian Hill said after the game, via The Boston Globe. “If there is a situation where a player blocks downfield, it’s not a foul until a pass is thrown, so you kind of put that in the bank. And then the pass was thrown downfield later, that created the offensive pass interference. …

“The official was processing the play and then he came to me over the [official-to-official communications system],” Hill said. “Because it was a long-developing play, he had to rewind back to what happened at the beginning of the play, and process that.”

Kayshon Boutte was on the receiving end of the touchdown to cap off the drive, part of a big day for the LSU product.