Did Saints get screwed by refs on another PI call against Vikings?

By Vincent Frank

·Updated: January 5, 2020

The last New Orleans Saints playoff game in the NFC Championship Game last January ended in controversial fashion in overtime.

It led to a rule change that included the NFL initiating an instant replay and challenges on pass interference determinations.

None of that did anything to help New Orleans in Sunday’s NFC Wildcard game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tied at 20 in overtime, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins hit Kyle Rudolph for the game-winning four-yard touchdown.

Or did he? There’s some controversy here. It looked like Rudolph pushed off on the Saints defender.

.@KirkCousins8 to @KyleRudolph82 for the @Vikings walkoff win in OT. pic.twitter.com/aXSJllOqpB
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2020

Needless to say, the NFL world had reactions to this questionable non-call, one that was not even reviewed.

No way they would’ve called that PI but there was enough there to give Saints fans something to complain about all offseason, so that’s great news… 🥴
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) January 5, 2020

Shesh… that’s a PI 😂😂
— Rashaad Penny (@pennyhendrixx) January 5, 2020

this is what offensive PI looks like. pic.twitter.com/JDWf5NW6mF
— swacbaby (@skiprocks21) January 5, 2020

Love totally legal and not at all offensive PI finishes to playoff games 🙄🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/4YhOz43jLk
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 5, 2020

I'm glad they didn't call PI. Not just because the Vikings win, but because if you're gonna overturn a game in that situation it better be blatant. There cannot be any question about it.
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) January 5, 2020

I feel bad for all the Saints fans who just sat up on their couch and said “oh this is exactly why they put this PI review in, look at that push-off, ITS GONNA COME FULL CIRCLE…”

…. FINAL. 🙃🤣
— Jacob Tamme (@JacobTamme) January 5, 2020

That’s offensive PI in my book but no one wants to take the winning TD off the board. Saints have to feel stung two years in a row. Last year was worse.
— David James (@DavidDJJames) January 5, 2020

Saints fans won’t be happy. But it is what it is. The Vikings now head to Santa Clara next week to take on the top seed San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.