NEW ORLEANS — It all worked out in the end for the Patriots, but they were on the wrong side of one of the more bizarre flags thrown this season.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye hit wide receiver DeMario Douglas for a 61-yard touchdown early in Sunday’s 25-19 win over the Saints. Well after the play was over, an official threw a flag as the Patriots were celebrating in the end zone for pass interference on wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was on the opposite side of the field.

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“On that play, we ruled blocking downfield by No. 8 early during the play,” referee Adrian Hill told ESPN’s Mike Reiss in a pool report. “So, if there is a situation where a player blocks downfield, it’s not a foul until a pass is thrown, so you kind of put that in the bank. And then the pass was t

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