Conference championship games expose NFL rule flaws

Although the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams will face off in the Super Bowl this year, both teams were a rule change away from sitting at home instead.

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints looked to be on the cusp of a game-winning drive in the closing minutes of the NFC Championship. Sean Payton elected to keep his foot on the gas by calling a first-down play for Michael Thomas – a pass that would fall short and stop the clock in Los Angeles’ favor.

On the ensuing third-and-10, the Saints were looking at 1:49 on the clock from the Rams’ 13-yard line. Brees dropped back to sling one to Tommylee Lewis for a near-sideline grab. Well before the arrival of the football, Rams’…