Payton, Pat Surtain Speak Out on Refs' Botched No- INT Call vs Packers

Sean Payton and Patrick Surtain II disagreed with the officials on this controversial play.

In the Denver Broncos' 19-17 win over the Green Bay Packers, there were a couple of controversial plays, one of which really cost the home team on the scoreboard. Deep into the third quarter, Packers quarterback Jordan Love dropped back on a 2nd-&-9 from Denver's 16-yard line, throwing it to Romeo Doubs in the end zone. 

Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II made what seemed a diving interception, but Doubs' hands were around the ball, too. It looked initially like a tied catch, which goes to the passing team. Upon review, it looked like Surtain got two feet down first with co-possession. 

The officials ruled it a touchdown, giving Doubs a score and Green Bay the points. The Broncos were eventually able to stave off another home loss, but that odd touchdown definitely helped hasten the away team's comeback. 

After the game, Surtain shared his opinion on the play and what the officials should have called upon review. 

"I thought it was a pick, but the refs said touchdown, so I was like, 'Alright, cool,'" Surtain said via Denver7's Troy Renck. "I've heard that whoever got the ball first and whoever's feet touch the ground first should be ruled their ball, but it's what it is." 

Doubs out-muscles Surtain for the tuddy.

Jordan Love and the Packers score a touchdown against the Broncos!

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Head coach Sean Payton concurred with his All-Pro corner at the podium post-game. 

“When you have two on it in the end zone, your feet down, I think we’re going to see that was something maybe that should have been called the other way," Payton said of Surtain's near-interception. "We kind of all grow up with the idea of tie goes to and who wrestles it out of the arms, but if you have two clean hands on it when you land in the end zone—I was a little surprised.”

Fortunately, the Broncos were able to overcome that one, but Green Bay's other touchdown was also a weird doozy, with a Love pass being deflected up in the air by a Packers receiver in the end zone, and hauled in by Jayden Reed. 

Adding insult to injury, Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was ejected from the game, his second ejection of the season, for wham-bam play where he hit Packers tight end Luke Musgrave in the head. It was a big hit. 

Unlike earlier this season, the Broncos had some depth at safety this time around, thanks to the timely return of P.J. Locke off injured reserve. Locke not only stepped in for Jackson after the ejection but made a game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter. 

There's still room for growth defensively, but Vance Joseph's unit has shown marked improvement over the past two weeks. For now, the 2-5 Broncos will enjoy this win. 

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