Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton knows all too well what it is like to be on the wrong end of a controversial call. However, during Sunday night's 33-30 comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams, the tables may have turned.
Denver trailed 26-23 when quarterback Bo Nix appeared to throw toward the sideline on a third-down play. Los Angeles defensive back Josh Wallace intercepted the pass and appeared to secure the ball with both feet inbounds. However, Wallace was flagged for defensive pass interference against Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant, wiping out the apparent interception. Nix later scored the game-winning touchdown.
The sequence immediately drew comparisons to the 2018 NFC Championship Game between Payton's New Orleans Saints and the Rams. In that game, a late pass interference against Los Angeles went uncalled, helping the Rams advance to the Super Bowl. The parallels were hard to miss, as referee Bill Vinovich, who officiated the 2018 matchup, alsc worked Sunday's contest.
Payton was asked Monday whether the latest situation reminded him of the infamous no-call.
“Well this is years later, so a completely different game, different players. I think there were two calls really that I guess that a lot of people were looking at, one over on Pat Bryant's side and then the one that was a little bit later,” said Payton.
Rather than dwell on officiating decisions, Payton said his approach is to focus on penalties Denver can control.
“Each week when these things come up… The longer you get in this thing, the less you discuss penalties. You just got to go out and play. I've yet to see one get changed either way. You hope that when the game's over with, the season's over with, you're on the positive side of the ledger. I focus a little bit more on the penalties that we can control relative to pre-snap, post-snap, those types of things, but that's really where I sit with it.”
The Broncos eventually overcame a 16-0 halftime deficit, scoring 30 points over the final two quarters to complete the stunning comeback.