FAA ground stop results in interesting twist for Panthers' Week 10 matchup vs. Saints

As much as Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales wants to swerve away from it, the topic of officiating may be an unavoidable one for the second straight week.

Friday's nationwide ground stop by the Federal Aviation Administration has forced to the NFL to make some adjustments to their officiating assignments here in Week 10. Due to the impacted air travel, the league—per insider Tom Pelissero—has reassigned officials to games within driving distance of their hometowns.

Among the matchups that'll be most affected is the Panthers' big NFC South showdown against the New Orleans Saints. Per Pelissero, the contest will see umpire Duane Heydt, a backup, serve as a referee.

In addition, the Panthers and Saints won't have a replay official on the premises at Caesars Superdome. Instead, those duties will be handled by the replay center in New York, N.Y.

That, of course, is a pretty interesting twist—especially considering last week's controversial replay sequence in the 26-21 loss to the Denver Broncos.

In the third quarter, Denver head coach Sean Payton pulled out a (very late) challenge on a Carolina incompletion in the end zone, which resulted in the refs overturning the play into a game-changing interception for the Broncos. The red flag was only acknowledged by officials after the ensuing play, a 0-yard rush by running back Chuba Hubbard, was snapped and whistled dead.

Along with the timing of the challenge, many questioned if Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble was interfered with on the attempted touchdown catch—which would've made the arrival of the red flag, late or not, a non-issue.

Perfect place at the perfect time!

Devon Key with an improbable INT for the @Broncos!

DENvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/AnjjfvlHFi— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026

After the game, the NFL's vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth stated that officials looked back to the tape to determine that Payton's challenge came in time. On Monday, Canales told reporters that he had yet to see the replay Butterworth was referring to.

When asked again on Wednesday, Canales declined to comment—putting Week 9, and the call, behind him.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: FAA ground stop results in interesting twist for Panthers' Week 10 matchup vs. Saints