@SportsSturm, Lions were the beneficiaries of the inadvertent whistle. Lions were awarded the fumble even though the whistle had blown the play dead.

That was not a potential game-changer or anything for the Lions. They were awarded the ball, but because the whistle blew the Saints stopped playing, so if Bob Strum is saying that the inadvertent whistle robbed the Lions of a touchdown.... uh, not so much. It was in fact the right call, as far as the fumble goes, but the whistle stopped the play before the Lions could "potentially" advance the ball, but it also stopped the Saints from pursuing the runner, and probably tackling him, so I think without the quick whistle, the Lions might have gotten a couple of more yards... maybe.

League admits errors on Lions-Saints fumble

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/08/league-admits-errors-on-lions...

This prompted outrage from Lions fans, who believed that Detroit had been robbed of a touchdown. < -- Bullshit!

Update: According to the article, the whistle was blown before the fumble was recorded, so even more reason to see why the Saints were standing around and not trying to recover the ball and not trying to tackle the Lions player who recovered the ball.