The New Orleans Saints looked prepared to take a one-point lead in the final 90 seconds against the Denver Broncos. And then all hell broke loose at the Superdome.
Drew Brees hit Brandin Cooks with a tremendous 32-yard touchdown pass with 1:30 remaining, and all the Saints needed to take the lead was convert the extra point. But Broncos reserve safety Justin Simmons broke through and blocked kicker Will Lutz’s try, and the ball was scooped up by defensive back Will Parks.
Parks had a clear lane down the field to the end zone for the two-point runback, and the initial ruling on the field was that he scored. But it went to review, and on the television broadcast it appeared that Parks might have stepped out of bounds. The problem? He was wearing white shoes and the sideline also was white, making the review unclear.
The replay officials ruled that there was no clear evidence that Parks stepped out, and the score stood — a stunning reversal of fortune that gave the Broncos a 25-23 lead in what had been a terrific game.
The ensuing onsides kick by the Saints was recovered by the Broncos, who earned the victory in improbable fashion to advance to 7-3. The Saints fell to 4-5 overall and 2-3 at home.
This is not the first time the Saints have lost a game on a missed extra point. Remember the River City Relay? Back in 2003, the Saints scored on a 75-yard touchdown that included three laterals on the final play of regulation to tie the game. But John Carney missed the extra-point try (they were much shorter back then) and the Saints lost to the Jaguars, 20-19.
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