Referee Grades: Steelers vs. Saints Was Tough to Watch

A referee-grading column says the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints international game in Paris was hard to watch, with multiple calls shaping the outcome. The article notes the Steelers were in the NFL’s inaugural contest abroad again for the second straight year, and argues the officiating crew “controlled” the game for the wrong reasons. It assigns a D- to what it calls the “DK Non-Call,” when officials did not flag Saints cornerback contact during Aaron Rodgers’ target of DK Metcalf. It credits a personal foul call against left guard Mason McCormick joining a pile late as an A+. The piece also labels two roughness penalties on Brandon Smith and Payton Wilson as F-, describing them as unnecessary after extended jawing and reactions between players.