New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas has highlighted an NFL rule in a call to have the NFC championship match against the Los Angeles Rams replayed.

The Saints were cruelly denied a place in the Super Bowl in the 26-23 overtime loss after a blatant interference penalty was missed by officials, which would have allowed the hosts to run the clock right down before kicking a game-winning field goal.

Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman landed a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tommylee Lewis moments before the pass arrived inside the five and Thomas has taken to social media to highlight a rule which could feasibly see the game replayed should commissioner Roger Goodell deem it appropriate.

“Rule 17 Section 2 Article 3,” wrote Thomas, before tagging the NFL and adding a broken heart emoji and the New Orleans Saints’ emblem.

The rule Thomas is referring to is under “Emergencies” in the “extraordinarily unfair acts” section.

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The “penalties for unfair acts” article states: “The Commissioner’s powers under this Section 2 include the imposition of monetary fines and draft-choice forfeitures, suspension of persons involved in unfair acts, and, if appropriate, 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.

“In the event of rescheduling a game, the Commissioner will be guided by the procedures specified in 17-1-5–11, above. In all cases, the Commissioner will conduct a full investigation, including the opportunity for hearings, use of game video, and any other procedure the Commissioner deems appropriate.”

Nickell Robey-Coleman breaks up a pass intended for Tommylee Lewis (USA TODAY)

Robey-Coleman would later admit to committing the penalty.

He said: “Came to the sideline, looked at the football gods and was like, ‘Thank you’. I got away with one tonight.”

After the no-call, Greg Zuerlein kicked a 48-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining to force overtime, adding the game-winning kick from 57 yards.