NFL Ref Confirms Clock Stoppage Error Before Saints' Last-Second TD vs. Commanders

The New Orleans Saints suffered a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders after their failed two-point conversion following a late touchdown, but it turns out they likely shouldn't have been in a position to win in the first place.

After the game, referee Shawn Hochuli admitted that a clock stoppage error was made before the Saints' late touchdown, telling reporters, "The covering official mistakenly stopped the clock at nine seconds and it is not reviewable."

After Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler completed a pass to Foster Moreau to the Commanders' 1-yard line, the clock inexplicably stopped for four seconds, allowing New Orleans to get lined up for Rattler to spike the ball. There were four seconds left on the clock on the team's final play when Rattler threw a touchdown pass to Moreau as time expired, but his pass to Juwan Johnson on the two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete.

Despite the loss, the Saints should be encouraged by what they saw from Rattler, who relieved starter Jake Haener after he completed just four of his 10 passes for 49 yards and an interception before being pulled from the game. Rattler threw for 135 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-21 passing, and he led all four of New Orleans' scoring drives.

A fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Rattler has now thrown for 706 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He could continue to see increased action in the absence of Derek Carr, who is sidelined with a concussion and a hand injury.

The loss dropped the Saints to 5-9, increasing their chances of missing the playoffs for a fourth straight year. New Orleans will try to get back on track when it faces the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 16.