Saints coach Sean Payton frustrated with officials in Lions game
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was visibly displeased with the officiating in his team's 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
Payton was heard yelling from the sidelines, directing his ire towards referee Terry McAulay.
He expressed his displeasure at greater length after the game:
"I thought the penalties ended up hurting us. I wasn't happy with the way that game was officiated, I'm gonna leave it at that. And yet that wasn't the reason in the end." Payton said.
New Orleans led for most of the game. However, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford connected on two late-game touchdowns, a 73-yarder to Golden Tate just inside the four-minute mark and a five-yard connection with Corey Fuller with less than two minutes to go, to take Detroit from a 13-point deficit to a one-point win.
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A Drew Brees interception in the waning moments of the fourth quarter set the Lions up for Fuller's touchdown reception.
Several penalties seemed to be judgment calls against the Saints, according to Triplett. A pass interference call against Rafael Bush gave Detroit a second chance after a fourth-down incomplete pass at the 2:18 mark.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Brees appeared to argue against a no-call that forced New Orleans to take a field goal. Pass interference calls in the second and third quarters set the Lions up for a field goal and negated a passing play for the Saints.
New Orleans finished the game with 12 penalties for 134 yards; the Lions gave up 71 yards on nine penalties.
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The win leaves Detroit 5-2, tied with the Green Bay Packers for the lead in the NFC North. They head to London next week to play the Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints fall to 2-4, their only wins coming at home. They are second in the NFC South and face the Packers at home next week.
- Christopher Woody
