Saints Face Second Controversial Fumble Ruling in 35-27 Loss to Raiders

New Orleans surrendered 19 unanswered points in a 35-27 home loss to Las Vegas after a Tyler Shough fumble ruling stood upon review.

The Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) defeated the New Orleans Saints (1-2) 35-27 at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. New Orleans held a 27-16 lead midway through the third quarter before allowing 19 unanswered points. The Raiders' comeback was aided by four consecutive Saints turnovers in the fourth quarter, beginning with a strip sack of quarterback Tyler Shough by linebacker Malcolm Koonce.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby recovered the ball after Koonce struck Shough’s arm. Officials ruled the play a fumble, a call that stood after review. NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth stated that Shough clearly lost control before his hand moved forward. This ruling contrasted with a Week 1 play involving Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, where a similar motion was overturned to an incomplete pass because Goff had already started his throwing motion when contacted by Chase Young.

Shough expressed personal belief that his arm was moving forward during the hit, while Young was seen mimicking an incomplete pass on the sideline. The Week 1 reversal in Detroit was based on the quarterback's "intent" to throw, a distinction referee Alan Eck used to rule Goff's backward-moving ball an incomplete pass. Butterworth clarified that for the Sunday ruling, the officials determined Shough did not have control of the football as his hand began its forward trajectory.