Two challenge calls made by the Patriots proved pivotal in Sunday’s 25-19 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Mike Vrabel and John Streicher - Vrabel’s eye in the sky - were 2-for-2 in challenges, both coming in the fourth quarter.

None were more strategic than Vrabel throwing the flag on the final completion.

On a 3rd-and-11, with 2:40 left in the game, Drake Maye hit Kayshon Boutte by the sideline for a 21-yard completion.

The officials ruled Boutte stepped out of bounds, stopping the clock.

Vrabel and Streicher felt Boutte’s feet were in bounds. This was crucial because the Saints were out of timeouts.

After review, the Patriots were right. Boutte was in bounds so the clock rolled down to 2:00. That allowed the Patriots to run out the clock with three kneel-downs.

The other key ch

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