I and my brother discussed this as we were watching the tail end of Saints/Niners game. Both teams had a shot at winning, but it didn't have to come down to that. Jimmy Graham and Sproles - they just had to take a knee at an inch before the goal line. Or Alex Smith running 20 yards for TD didn't have to come down to that either - if he slid at 1 yard line, he could take a knee 3 times then end the game with a FG. It might have been a bit tougher for Saints as they do need TD, but I still think the game ended in a way it shouldn't have. With the way Niners front four were pressuring, no. Also that's why Saints lost today - they went prevent at the last two drives, and gave up TD in each. We were reminded of football wisdom from the past yet one more time: prevent defense prevents you from winning. If Saints pressured Alex Smith (1) and put bracket coverage on Vernon Davis (2) (he was abusing the secondary all day after all) things would have been quite different.
I think you need to take the points in that situation. BTW, did anyone watch the 9'ers in this game and experience just jaw-dropping jealousy at the tackling ability of this team? With exception to that Jimmy Graham play where the two defenders bumped into each other, I don't recall a single missed tackle.
Yes. Also made me wonder how great our secondary would look if we could get pressure rushing only 3 or 4 like the 9ers did.
