One of the craziest plays of the 2016 season came in the final minutes of the Broncos game in New Orleans.
With just 1:22 left, it looked like the Saints were going to pull off a stunning comeback when Drew Brees hit Brandin Cooks with a 32-yard laser for a touchdown that tied that game up at 23. To take the lead, all the Saints had to do was kick the extra point, which turned out to be way easier said than done.
On the point after attempt, this happened.
After review, the call of the field stands.
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2016
Leap the line.
Block the extra point.
Take the lead.
Wow. #DENvsNOhttps://t.co/yX5QdVQ2Bn
That's Broncos defender Will Parks returning a blocked extra point attempt almost 80 yards for the game-winning score.
The only problem is that no one was actually sure if Parks return should've counted. Although it was ruled a two-point defensive return on the field, refs had to review the play to see if Parks stepped out of bounds, and let's just say that it doesn't get much closer than this.
Saints lose because refs can't decide if Broncos' white shoe is touching the white sideline #Broncos#AlwaysWearWhiteShoespic.twitter.com/yvumAoUIAJ
— John Breech (@johnbreech) November 13, 2016
After a review, the officials decided to stick with the call on the field, meaning the two-pointer was good.
The call was so close that the NFL's VP of officiating, Dean Blandino decided to go on Twitter and explain the ruling.
"There was a question whether the defender stepped out of bounds with the right foot. It's very close. Looks like the foot could be out there. White shoe, white sideline. Very difficult to tell from this angle," Blandino said.
According to Blandino, the officials needed to see another angle, which they didn't have.
"Whenever you're looking at it from this direction, it's going to be difficult to tell if there's green between the foot and the sideline," Blandino said. "We need something looking right down the line from either end zone. That's going to be your best look. And unfortunately we just don't get that look."
As it turns out though, that angle actually exists. A video from WDSU-TV in in New Orleans is basically the Zapruder Film of this return, it shows the angle the Blandino wanted to see.
At about the 10 second mark below, you'll see Parks' right foot near the sideline.
Here is VIDEO @wdsu sports photographer (twitter-less) Alvin Moore shot today of blocked PAT.
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) November 14, 2016
Did Will Parks step out of bounds? pic.twitter.com/es6ZLWv34g
Here's a still shot of the pivotal moment.
So does that clear things up or make them more confusing?
It sure doesn't look like there's any green between his foot and the sideline, which means he's out of bounds. That being said, this is incredibly close and is probably one of those cases where you just stick with the ruling on the field. Sorry, Saints fans.