I’ve already laid out my diatribe on how NFL coaches should go for it on 4th down anytime their team is passed their own 35 yard line and it’s 4th & 5 or less. And frankly, any time you are within 5 yards of the end zone you should go for it. Payton did towards the end of the 1st half, and the Saints didn’t pick it up. However, even by not picking it up, the results showed why a team should go for it when that close to the goalline.
If the Saints kick the field goal, in all likelihood the Colts get between the 20 and 30 yard line on the kickoff and with roughly 1:30 left and 3 timeouts, the Colts would’ve been in perfect position to at least kick a field goal themselves, if not score another touchdown. But after the Saints were stuffed on the 1 yard line, the Colts came out and actually ended up running two of their 3 downs, did not pick up the 1st, and because they were backed up so much they had to punt, which the Saints took and kicked the field goal they would’ve gotten anyways, except this time there was no time for the Colts to mount an answering drive.
Sean Payton deserves this just for trying the onside kick
The call that really was ballsy and impressive was the onside kick. It worked – barely. But even if it hadn’t worked, I love the call.
Tags: Coaches should always go for it on 4th Down, Onside Kick decision was genius, Sean Payton's ballsy playcalling, Super Bowl 44
