NFL fans slam referees for clock mismanagement during Commanders-Saints 20-19 thriller - "Sh*t is rigged"

NFL fans are not happy with how the referees managed the clock in the game between the Commanders and the Saints on Sunday. It turned out to be a thriller that Washington won 20-19 against New Orleans. However, it should not have been so close.

With nine seconds remaining, the Saints were just a yard away from the goalline with the score 20-13 in favor of the Commanders. However, because the New Orleans receiver was tackled in the field of play, the clock should have been allowed to run. The play clock did keep running but the game clock got going only four to five seconds later. Had both run simultaneously, there probably would not have been enough time for the Saints to spike the ball.

But because that was allowed to happen, New Orleans still had four seconds to throw a touchdown and make the score 20-19. Only because the Commanders stopped the two-point attempt did Washington escape with a win that should not have been too narrow.

Fans took to X/Twitter to say that this was evidence of the NFL rigging the games. Here are some reactions from the social media platform.

Some fans blamed the league's association with sports betting for what unfolded there. Here are some more comments.

"Sports betting." - one said.

"That was Vegas. @NFL needs to be better!" - noted another.

"Got to cover the spread" - concurred a third.

Commanders fans' breathe a sigh of relief with win over Saints

The Commanders are now 9-5 after their win over the Saints. It gives them some breathing space as they seek to make it to the postseason. Had they lost, they would have been 8-6 and tied with the Rams. Washington occupies the final Wild Card spot in the NFC with Los Angeles closely behind.

In that context, if New Orleans had tied this game and taken it to overtime before winning it, it is sure that this would have been a major talking point. This victory also ties the Commanders with the Packers with nine wins apiece. Green Bay plays later today against the 8-5 Seahawks. It is not expected to be an easy game and now the pressure is on them. A Saints' win would have changed the complexion of the playoff race significantly.

The referees might not have bungled it in terms of the final result but the NFL needs to ensure that such errors do not happen again and harm a team's chances of playing beyond the regular season.