re: Lost in the TLL fumble talk

quote:

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I think everyone is overlooking that there was an offensive hold penalty declined. If he holds onto the ball, it's somewhere in the 3rd and 12 range, and the Saints kick the FG.

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The thing is without any timeouts, would Carolina have taken the penalty. Play ended at 1:44. Even if he goes out of bounds. Letting the Saints replay it at 3rd and 11, means you at best get less than a minute needed to score 6 instead of 3 again. Forcing the Saints into 4th and inches was their best shot if not for the fumble.