re: Stupid not gutsy....

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You also have to think it is sudden death rules. Meaning you have to decide if you think you have better odds to convert 4 and inches or stopping the Saints, one of the most dominate offenses in football history, from getting in field goal range after you punt. I would say you almost have to go for it on any 4th and reasonable. It would have been different if you had good enough field position to make the Saints drive the field after the punt, but Atlanta's field position would have likely meant the Saints would only have to move the ball about 30 yards before getting in to field goal territory.

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1) The previous possession, they made us go three and out.

2) If you go for it and make it, you still have to go about 40 yards for a 47 yard FG attempt. However, if you miss it, you've already put your opponent in FG range. As you said, it's OT and sudden death, so missing it is virtually conceding the game, while making it doesn't assure you of anything other than a first down.

3) If you punt it, you put the Saints in a position to go about 40 yards to get into FG range. Remember, your defense just made them go three and out on the last possession...

Punting it was the correct decision in this situation, and Smith let the crowd think for him. I was there, and many Falcons fans were booing as the punt team came out. Then Smith called time out, and they cheered when the offense came back out.

Poor decision. Not thought out well.