Drew Brees knows exactly what it feels like when a flag stays in an official’s pocket. In January 2019, the New Orleans Saints watched a game-defining pass interference go uncalled in the NFC title game, and the fallout was so loud that the league briefly made pass interference reviewable. So when Brees raised concerns around officiating in the recent LA Rams vs. Denver Broncos game, he isn’t speaking in hypotheticals.

“Here’s the irony, because I was watching that game,” Drew Brees said on the Let’s Go Podcast! “First off, what a game last night, you know, for the Broncos to do that complete about-face, you know, from first half to second half, and look the way they did and make that a game. And then just the back and forth nature of just two great teams, you know, really good quarterbacks, you know, going going back, just trading shots. It was awesome. But, yeah, there was a little irony with the DPI that was called.

“It was clear that the receiver just kind of hooked his arm and made it look like it was DPI. In fact, it was probably OPI, so it was actually a great play by DB. But it was in the exact same place as the no-call in the NFC Championship Game. It was the exact same referee, Bill Vinovich. It unfortunately brought up a lot of bad memories.”

Matthew Stafford’s LA Rams and Bo Nix’s Denver Broncos faced each other in Week 3 on September 27. However, the game seemingly garnered attention for one controversial referee call late in the 4th quarter.

With 1:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Rams held a 26–23 lead. The Denver Broncos faced a critical 3rd-and-6 at the Rams’ 11-yard line. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw a pass toward wide receiver Pat Bryant along the sideline.

Josh Wallace tracked the ball perfectly and caught what appeared to be a game-sealing interception. However, referee Bill Vinovich’s crew intervened, throwing a flag against Wallace for DPI. Instead of a Rams victory, the penalty gifted the Broncos a fresh set of downs at the 7-yard line. Six plays later, Nix scored the game-winning touchdown to secure a 30–26 victory for Denver.

The call immediately drew intense criticism from fans, analysts, and the broadcast crew. Replays showed minimal contact, and NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay stated during the broadcast that it shouldn’t have been a penalty. To make matters worse for the Rams, Broncos receiver Pat Bryant later admitted to the media that he completely “sold” the call and flopped.

“It was a little pass interference. I did sell it just enough to get the flag,” Bryant said.

Following the game, even Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed that the NFL office contacted him and admitted the referees made a mistake, confirming that Wallace should never have been flagged. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford didn’t publicly vent his frustration over that call. Instead, he shared his honest feelings.

“That was a tough one that didn’t go our way, and then we got another one late on another third down with the hands to the face that was a, you know, sometimes you know those are tough things to see, and I understand that, but our guys kept playing, and we still gave ourselves a chance late in the game.”

However, this isn’t the first time Matthew Stafford or Drew Brees has come across such instances. The most infamous officiating controversy of Stafford’s career occurred during his time with the Detroit Lions against the Dallas Cowboys in 2015.

In the fourth quarter, Stafford threw a crucial third-down pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens clearly initiated early contact, pulling Pettigrew’s jersey and running into him.

The Ref Intervention: A back judge threw a flag for defensive pass interference (DPI) and the penalty was announced over the stadium microphone. Moments later, without any video review or logical explanation, referee Pete Morelli’s crew picked up the flag and waved off the penalty.

While the controversial decision somewhat impacted the Rams game against the Broncos, under current NFL rules, judgment calls like defensive pass interference (DPI) cannot be reviewed and or be overturned after the game concludes.