A controversial offensive pass interference (OPI) call negated a potential touchdown for the New England Patriots during their Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints on October 12, 2025. The call involved wide receiver Stefon Diggs and came after a remarkable 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drake Maye to DeMario Douglas in the first quarter.
The incident unfolded during a crucial moment late in the first quarter on a third-and-2 play. Maye maneuvered in the pocket, evading defenders before launching a deep pass to Douglas. After successfully catching the ball, Douglas spun past a tackler and raced into the end zone, celebrating what appeared to be a touchdown. However, the joy was short-lived as a flag was thrown for offensive pass interference against Diggs, which nullified the score.
Despite the flag, the confrontation between Diggs and Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry seemed minor. Many observers noted that neither player was directly involved in the play, raising questions about the validity of the call. The late flag prompted outrage from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who expressed his frustration to the officials from the sidelines.
In a surprising turn, the very next play resulted in a defensive pass interference call against Saints cornerback Quincy Riley, which placed the Patriots at the 50-yard line. This decision was perceived by many as a “makeup call” for the earlier penalty on Diggs, as commentators and fans expressed disbelief over the OPI ruling.
Commentators took to social media to voice their opinions. Gregg Rosenthal referred to the earlier penalty as one of the worst he had seen, emphasizing the confusion surrounding the call. Others echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the timing of the flag was so delayed that it could have been mistaken for a taunting penalty after the touchdown.
Despite the setback, the Patriots’ offense remained undeterred. Following the defensive penalty, running back TreVeyon Henderson gained 20 yards on three plays, setting up Maye to connect with Kayshon Boutte for a 25-yard touchdown pass. This scoring drive ultimately gave New England a 14-6 lead as the teams headed into the second quarter.
With the game’s momentum shifting, all eyes will be on the post-game comments from Vrabel, Maye, and Diggs regarding the controversial OPI call and its impact on the match. The Patriots, seeking to maintain their competitive edge, will undoubtedly analyze the implications of such critical officiating decisions as they move forward in the season.
