Well, it happened. New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton threw out his first challenge flag on an instance of defensive pass interference, a rule he played a big part in implementing this offseason.
The play in question concerned Saints cornerback Kayvon Webster, who was tracking a Minnesota Vikings receiver down the sideline. Webster appeared to hook his left arm into his opponent’s before turning to watch the ball arc towards them, at which point he threw up his right arm to swat it away. A yellow penalty flag followed, which prompted Payton to challenge the ruling.
At that point the call went to the instant-replay booth, which reaffirmed the ruling on the field. The rule states that clear evidence must be found on the replay tape to overrule the on-field officials, and that wasn’t the case. So Payton is officially 0-for-1 in pass interference challenges.
Ironically, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer also challenged a pass-interference ruling earlier in the game — but against the Saints offense, not the defense. He argued that Saints wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith was blocking upfield in the area of a pass, but the video evidence ruled against him, and the play stood as called. So in a way the Saints both gained and lost in pass-interference reviews in their presesaon opener.
