Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

At the end of the game New Orleans had its back against a wall. Gus Frerotte attempted a pass down field on 3rd and 3 resulting in a defensive pass interference on Kaesviharn (NO).  The result of the penalty resulted in Vikings posession at the NO 14 yardline witih 1:11 remaining in regulation tied at 27-27. The Saints had no timeouts remaining and played to stop NO from scoring a touchdown. With the ball at the fourteen this all but assures the Vikings will score a field goal with little time remaining if the Saints elect to defend their territory. Unfortunately, this play calling at best allows them to lose the game and guarantees little time to march down the field and return the score with a field goal or game winning touchdown.

An alternative option that manages the clock better dictates allowing the Vikings to score a TD leaving the Saints with time to march down the field and tie the game. Here, allowing the Vikings to score a TD may be controversial and illogical however but would give them a chance to tie the game rather than all but assuring their team a loss.