"Tuck" my a$$. That was as clear a fumble as it gets. The referees found an out for a major screw up that changed the entire game outcome.
And, no, I don't think they intentionally threw the game for the Pats.
It was just a really really bad call.

But, that's football. The Rams don't get to the Superbowl with Goff if not for that terrible non-call for PI on the Rams near the end of the game with the Saints. Refs are part of the game and will always be (at least they SHOULD always be).