Sean Payton opens up about why he left the Saints (merged)

For some, the lack of evidence that a conspiracy existed is simply evidence that the conspiracy was well executed.

Regarding the 2018 NFC championship game, the non-call was horrendous, and the NFL responded badly after the game by failing to quickly acknowledge that blatant pass interference was not called. The NFL is at all times public relations. But it isn't really crazy and stupid.

So we had a conspiracy to boost the popularity of the Rams in Los Angeles. But a conspiracy involves an agreement by two or more. Who gave the order? How was it given? To whom was it given? How many were involved? And for the sake of selling tickets in Los Angeles, would the league, its executives, and game officials really risk in the greatest scandal in sports history (a) immeasurably damaging the reputation of the NFL, the NFL's business model, and the market valuation of the 32 franchises; and (b) losing their job and reputation, and going to prison.

And if we assume for argument there was a league conspiracy for Los Angeles, then the league really wanted Los Angeles to win. But if that was the case, then why did the officials wait until 1:45 or so to play before helping the Rams? If the Saints defense does its job, the Saints still win. And why did they call only three penalties on the Saints the entire game and seven penalties on the Rams? And why did they allow the Patriots to easily win the Super Bowl? Losing in the conference championship doesn't sell tickets, but losing in the Super Bowl does?

I was at the game. I can remember thinking for the first 58 minutes how well officiated the game was. And there is a tendency by NFL officials to call fewer penalties in championship games and especially not to call a game-decisive penalty at the end of a championship game. Again, the non-call was horrendous because it was so blatant. But the Saints could have stopped the Rams in the last 1:41, could have scored in overtime, and could have stopped the Rams in overtime after the Brees interception.