It was dumb, but game was basically over at that point - they would have gotten the ball back at their own 30 or so with :25 and no timeouts.

The Quinn decisions were extra special stupid

But was it Payton that decided to do that or Brees?

Payton's decision to be unnecessarily aggressive there. I also think that was a terrible play call. Bad route combination. Not sure who called the play. Brees definitely made an idiotic throw.

Drew Brees and Matt Ryan are #1 & #2, just ahead of Brett Favre, in career INTs during close games in last 200 Minutes or overtime.

I think Brees has 9 of those and Ryan has 8.

Not defending Brees's throw, but seems that if you go for it on 4th down and make it, then you will NOT play at safe. If one were to play it safe, would have kicked the FG on 4th & 1. Yes, there would have been time left for Atlanta, but Payton going for it on 4th down indicated an intent to win the game in regulation.

I think the only reason for not taking the points there is you're leaving too much time on the clock and your defense had struggled in the 2nd half (and Bryant is a good kicker).

If there were 20 seconds left, you take the points.

So the only distinguishing factor to me is time.

I think you maximize your chance of winning if you play it safe. You either 1) end up breaking a big play on an otherwise safe play and scoring or 2) you give the falcons the ball back, tied, no timeouts, well under a minute to go.

I think while you're more likely to win the game in regulation playing aggressively, I also think, all things considered, that's mitigated by a significantly increased likelihood of losing the game

I have seen quite. A few saints games this year
And when they can't run the ball at will or dump off
they have stuggied mightily with play calling
Very sporadic and odd at times
Maybe it's a lack of weapons. Their TE is awful and they have limited wr options outSide Thomas