Another officiating blunder costs Saints against Rams

Game officials whistled a play dead just as defensive end Cameron Jordan picked up a fumble and ran for what should have been an 87-yard touchdown return.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws as New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) moves in during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Another officiating blunder cost the New Orleans Saints in a third consecutive game.

This time, game officials whistled a play dead just as defensive end Cameron Jordan picked up a fumble and ran for what should have been an 87-yard touchdown return Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Instead, because a whistle blew, the play was ruled dead and the Saints took possession at their 20. 

Game officials initially ruled the play an incomplete pass after quarterback Jared Goff lost his grip on the ball. Television replay showed the ball not in his grasp when his hand started to come forward on the third-down play.

Without the touchdown, the score remained tied 3-3 until Los Angeles made a field goal with 3 seconds remaining in the half.

Other officiating blunders included the missed pass interference call against the Rams late in the NFC championship in January. 

Also, in the season opener against the Texans, officials should have put 15 seconds back on the clock after a review with less than a minute remaining in the first half. As a result, the Saints attempted a 56-yard field goal that went wide left.