A controversial offensive pass interference call on Stefon Diggs negated a 61-yard touchdown connection between Drake Maye and DeMario Douglas during the New England Patriots’ game against the New Orleans Saints on October 12, 2025. This critical decision occurred late in the first quarter and significantly impacted the momentum of the game.
With the Patriots facing a third-and-2, Maye maneuvered in the pocket before launching a deep ball to Douglas. The receiver caught the pass, evaded a defender with a spin move, and crossed into the end zone, celebrating what appeared to be a touchdown. However, a late flag thrown for offensive pass interference on Diggs overshadowed the moment. Although Diggs and Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry were engaged in minor hand-fighting, neither player was involved in the play.
The call drew sharp criticism from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who expressed his frustration from the sideline. Following the controversial decision, the Saints were penalized for defensive pass interference on the next play, which many commentators viewed as a makeup call.
In a tweet, sports analyst Dan Roche remarked, “Can’t figure out that OPI on Diggs to take away Pop TD. Sure looked like a makeup DPI call on Saints on the next play.” Similarly, Gregg Rosenthal emphasized the inconsistency of officiating, noting, “One of the worst penalties I’ve ever seen takes away a 61-yard TD.”
Despite the setback, the Patriots’ offense remained undeterred. Running back TreVeyon Henderson gained 20 yards on the following plays, setting up Maye for a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte. This scoring drive put New England ahead 14-6 as the game entered the second quarter.
As the game progressed, the impact of the officiating decisions continued to fuel discussions among fans and analysts alike. Observers expressed curiosity about how Vrabel, Maye, and Diggs would address the controversial call in post-game interviews.
The officiating inconsistencies during this matchup have sparked debates about the need for improved accountability and clarity within the league’s officiating standards.
