re: ATL got 4 time outs.

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It should not. It should start in on the placement of the ball. That would allow a defense to commit a penalty just to stop the clock if need be, so it makes absolutely no sense.

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So are you still claiming they got 4 time outs?

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It should not. It should start in on the placement of the ball. That would allow a defense to commit a penalty just to stop the clock if need be, so it makes absolutely no sense.

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It shouldn't but it does. It happens all the time and is a flawed system. The defense gets punished by giving you an extra down if you choose.

It's a bogus rule, but still a rule.

Your logic is just dumb because the penalty would have given the Saints an automatic first down

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Your logic is just dumb because the penalty would have given the Saints an automatic first down

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The Saints had already gained a first down which resulted in a gain of greater than five yards, and thus declined the penalty. It would have been "dumb" to accept the penalty and thus lose yardage, since the clock would have apparently been stopped either way due to a defensive penalty.

The clock remaining stopped is a definite advantage to the defense in this situation, if this is really how the rule is supposed to work and wasn't just a mistake by the officiating crew.

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It should not. It should start in on the placement of the ball. That would allow a defense to commit a penalty just to stop the clock if need be, so it makes absolutely no sense.

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Right. Atlanta could have just held every play if that were the rule.

It allowed them to extend the game because the clock stopped. There are circumstances where it works in their favor. I'm not sure why you are failing to grasp that a flawed rule benefitted Atlanta and gave them one last gasp.