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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Could Intervene On The Outcome Of The Rams Vs. Saints Game

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appears to have the authority to change the outcome of the NFC championship game.

The Rams beat the Saints in a thrilling game, but a shocking no-call pass interference late in the game pretty much allowed the Rams to push for overtime. You can watch a video of the insanity below.

Clearly, that was a blown call. Well, it turns out that Goodell could actually force the teams to play again or just straight up change the outcome. (RELATED: Here Are The Best Moments You Might Have Missed From The NFL Divisional Playoff Games)

ProFootballTalk wrote the following when explaining the situation:

Consider Rule 17, Section 2, Article 3: “The Commissioner’s powers under this Section 2 include . . . the reversal of a game’s result or the rescheduling of a game, either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred.”

Basically, the Commissioner has the power to turn back time to the spot of the penalty that wasn’t called, put the teams back on the field from that point in the game, give the Saints first and goal at the spot of the foul, put 1:49 on the clock, and let the game proceed, tied at 20, with the Rams having one time out left.

Now, will this ever happen? Almost certainly not. The NFL would burn to the ground if Goodell actually flexed his muscles in this situation and pulled the Rams out of the Super Bowl.

The rule might exist on paper, but a rule existing and a rule being enforced are two very different things.

The fact of the matter is that the NFL absolutely blew this call, and it likely cost the Saints a trip to the Super Bowl. There’s something Goodell could do about it, but he won’t.

Once a commissioner starts changing the outcome of games, people are just going to lose it.

We just have to live with the fact the Saints got screwed, and Goodell should let it rest. It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans of New Orleans. I totally understand that, but changing outcomes is going to be a disaster.

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