Was Mike Smith's decision to punt the right one? (3 Viewers)

[327]

I think it was the correct call based on the timeouts left, the time on the clock, the way their defense had been playing etc.

That being said it's a bad call because it didn't work. It's a double edged sword. He's a genius if it works, and a goat if it doesn't.

 

[*_deuce_*]

I think it was the right call.But,,the 1st thing were gonna hear from falcons fans is "We gave you guys that game due to a bad coaching decision."

 

[BreesusSaves]

This.

I see two major pieces to Smith making the decision that he made:

1) Atlanta was **** on 3rd down conversions (3/12, 25%), especially 3rd and long. The run was stuffed and the passing game was smothered. In all likelihood the Saints would have stopped the play and gotten the ball back on a short field. Up until that point the only TD by the Saints was made when Brees had a short field.

2) The Saints' offense was reeling. Brees had just thrown two interceptions and the Saints had not driven the field a single time all night long. The Falcons' defense was just as suffocating as the Saints and odds were great that if the Saints were buried within the 20-yard line, the Falcons would get the ball back and get it back with good field position.

Smart call by the coach; Poor execution by the defense.

False, that punt that boomed at 2:44 came after the Saints had just marched 90 yards and scored a TD to take the lead. If anything, punting to a team whose offense just got hot is a horrible mistake, which it was, as the Falcons never saw the ball again.

 

[saintszks]

What is telling is the difference in Games 1 and 2....in game 1 they went for 4th much earlier in the game...they knew they could get it and had to go for it....yesterday Smith knew his offense had absolutely nothing....they only scored 7 pts on us (7 from their D)...he was nervous and put the game on his D....

 

[Sophandros]

If you punt or if you go for it and fail, you have to prevent the Saints from getting a first down or you lose. If you go for it and succeed, then you still have a chance to get in fg range or even score a TD. In this case, you're punting to the team who just marched 90 yards on you, so why give them the ball again?