NFL fines Rams' Nickell Robey-Coleman for helmet-to-helmet hit vs. Saints

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman has been fined $26,739 by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New Orleans Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis that was not flagged during the NFC Championship Game, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.

The hit happened on a controversial play with less than two minutes remaining in a 20-20 game. A flag for pass interference would have given the Saints a first down, and a helmet-to-helmet hit would have tacked on an additional 15 yards.

Neither were called, though Saints coach Sean Payton said the NFL's head of officials told him the officials "blew the call" by not penalizing Robey-Coleman.

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"It was simple. They blew the call. They said it should never have not been a call," Payton said after the game of the explanation he received. "They said not only was it interference, it was helmet-to-helmet. They just -- they couldn't believe it."

Robey-Coleman admitted he briefly thought the flag would come out but said that an official on the field told him he suspected the ball was tipped, which replays clearly showed was not the case.