Following a Drew Breesinterception in the end zone with 1:25 left in Thursday night's game versus the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints were in a position to get the ball back with a few ticks left on the clock still down 20-17.
With two timeouts, the Saints could have gotten the ball back with about 20 seconds remaining around their own 30-yard-line if they stopped the Falcons from getting a first down. After setting up a would-be third-and-6, the chance was wiped away by a penalty on coach Sean Payton. The unsportsmanlike flag ended the game.
An official threw a flag on Payton for walking well onto the field, vociferously frustrated about trying to get a timeout called.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Friday the NFL will look into Payton's conduct toward game officials, according to a league source. Payton could be fined if the NFL deems the coach's actions crossed the line.
"I called a timeout, and then he asked me again, and I said I have already called a timeout," Payton said after the game. "I probably said it with a little more vigor then I was supposed to but I had enough. I have to be smarter than that."
"It was just one of those games. I have never seen anything like it," Payton said. "I have never been a part of a game like that and it is frustrating but our guys will bounce back."
