Officials, 'mistakenly' stopped clock upset Commanders, Saints - ESPN

NEW ORLEANS — Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he wanted to take the high road when discussing an officiating error that could have cost his team the game on Sunday. New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi, meanwhile, traveled a different road when discussing multiple officiating calls.

Washington beat New Orleans, 20-19, by stopping a two-point conversion after time had expired. The Commanders (9-5) remain in the seventh and final playoff spot with three games remaining.

Both teams ended with gripes about the officiating, though Washington's frustration was subdued because of the win.

With no timeouts left, Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler connected with tight end Foster Moreau, who was tackled at the 1-yard line with 9 seconds remaining. Side judge Jim Quirk ran to the ball and signaled for a clock stoppage, and the clock was then stopped for at least four seconds and possibly five.

That enabled the Saints to run to the line and spike the ball with 3 seconds remaining. They scored on the next play.

Referee Shawn Hochuli told a pool reporter that «the covering official mistakenly stopped the clock in that situation. The clock should not have stopped.» Hochuli said it was not reviewable.

«I am absolutely taking the high road,» Quinn said. «Those three seconds are critical, let's just say that. We're on to [next opponent] Philadelphia.… In the game, I was frustrated why [the clock had stopped], but in the moment, I don't get to ask and you don't get the feedback when it's that type of intensity.»

A number of Commanders coaches on the sideline knew the clock had stopped, but the players on the field did not.

«I didn't hear any whistle blow,» corner Noah Igbinoghene said. «If the clock stopped, I have no