An egregious roughing the passer penalty nullified an interception for the Green Bay Packers and handed the New Orleans Saints another chance to score a game-sealing touchdown on Sunday in Jacksonville.
Late in the third quarter, Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith was penalized for hitting Saints quarterback Jameis Winston on third down. The 15-yard penalty negated an interception by Packers safety Darnell Savage in the end zone with the score 24-3 in favor of the Saints.
Smith didn’t hit Winston late or in the head or neck area. Even Mike Periera of FOX thought it was a poor call made on the field.
The correct implementation of the rule might not have changed the outcome of the contest, but the wrong implementation certainly served to end the game. Winston threw a touchdown pass a few plays later, giving the Saints a 31-3 lead to start the fourth quarter.
You make the call. Was this roughing the passer?