The New Orleans Saints are the first team of the new NFL season to feel like they got robbed of a touchdown by some controversial officiating.
The Detroit Lions appeared to have committed a costly turnover during the second quarter of Sunday’s Week 1 game at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. Jared Goff was sacked by Chase Young and lost the football, which was ultimately recovered by Saints safety Jonas Sanker and called a touchdown on the field.
WTF??? Saints got screwed! This was called a fumble and touchdown on the field but after review the refs called it back for the Lions.. pic.twitter.com/D2q8gXCq7c
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 13, 2026
Goff’s arm appeared to be moving forward, but since the ball went backward, that was initially thought to be irrelevant. However, upon review, the pass was called incomplete.
FOX rules analyst Mike Pereira said that because Goff’s intent was to throw a forward pass, the attempt counted as such even though the ball went backward.
.@MikePereira breaks down why the Saints touchdown was overturned
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 13, 2026
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/vY2N7CIBBG
The Saints famously have a history of controversial calls going against them, so this was deja vu for many New Orleans fans. Instead of six points, the Saints had to settle for forcing a punt, though they certainly did not feel good about it.
