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If pass interference had been called on Robey-Coleman, the Saints would have been awarded an automatic first-and-goal at the Rams’ six-yard line, on a half-the-distance-to-the-goal-line walk-off.

As it was, denied a chance to burn more game clock and score a possible, if not probable, winning touchdown, the Saints had to settle for a field goal, to go up 23-20 – their last lead of the game and, as it turned out, in their 2018 season.

That’s because they left enough time for the Rams to tie it in regulation, then win it in overtime, on two long Greg Zuerlein field goals.

Robey-Coleman admitted afterward he slammed hard and recklessly into Lewis, well before the ball arrived. Robey-Coleman said he definitely was in the “wrong” in hitting Lewis too early, before the ball arrived, and said he hoped not to see penalty flags on the field as he got to his feet.

“I was looking for laundry,” Robey-Coleman said. “I had to! It was natural, because I knew I was … wrong.”

Saints head coach Sean Payton said the NFL’s senior VP of officiating, Al Riveron, told him by phone minutes after the game that Caveletto and Turner “blew the call” and that “no only was it interference, it was (illegal) helmet-to-helmet.”

Numerous reports later confirmed Payton’s version and nature of Riveron’s post-game call to him.

Referee Vinovich afterward told a pool reporter: “It was a judgment call by the covering official. I personally have not seen the play.” The NFL makes only the referee from any officiating crew available for post-game interview by a host team’s designated local pool reporter.

The league on Monday reiterated it will not offer any immediate, additional comment on the matter, beyond the pool report and confirmed reports of Riveron’s post-game conversations with Payton.

Vinovich’s crew also included: umpire Bruce Stritesky, line judge Rusty Baynes, field judge Tom Hill and back judge Todd Prukop, plus alternates Jerome Boger (referee), Mark Perlman (line judge) and Steve Freeman (back judge).

New Orleans reacts: ‘WE WERE ROBBED’ … but free eye exams for NFL refs!

NEW ORLEANS – Digital signs over local highways this morning blared the all-caps message, “WE WERE ROBBED.”

The front-page banner headline in the Times-Picayune: “REFFING UNBELIEVABLE.” Right, the R is silent.