David J. Phillip/Associated Press
ATLANTA — Ten days after a controversial noncall marred the ending of the N.F.C. championship game, N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell finally addressed it publicly, acknowledging that the officials erred.
“It is a play that should be called,” he said at his annual state of the league address on Wednesday. “Whenever officiating is part of any kind of discussion postgame, it is never a good outcome for us. We know that, our clubs know that, our officials know that.”
Late in the fourth quarter in a tied N.F.C. championship game, with New Orleans deep in Los Angeles territory, Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman hit Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis before he could attempt to catch a pass.