The New Orleans Saints dropped a 31-30 overtime thriller to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field after a controversial call negated a defensive touchdown in the second quarter.

With the Lions leading 7-0 and 9:33 left in the half, Saints edge rusher Carl Granderson and tight end Sam La Porta raced for a loose ball after Chase Young sacked Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Saints defensive back Jonas Sanker recovered in the end zone, and officials initially ruled it a touchdown. But replay review reversed the call, deeming it an incomplete forward pass.

Saints coach Kellen Moore called the situation "a little bit of a challenging circumstance." Goff said it was a "great call," while Young said he'd "never seen anything like it." Linebacker Kaden Elliss noted the ball traveling backward caused confusion, and quarterback Tyler Shough acknowledged the momentum swing but took responsibility for the offense's execution.

NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth explained the ruling hinged on Goff having already begun his throwing motion when contacted, making it a forward pass per rulebook guidelines.