Second-Chance Kick Is Good

Atlanta Falcon kicker Todd Peterson’s attempt sailed wide left, the “home” crowd erupted, and one of the New Orleans Saints’ best games of the season was headed to overtime.

One problem: that yellow flag on the ground.

New Orleans was penalized for defensive holding on the missed kick, Peterson was moved five yards closer, and, given another chance, booted the 36-yard field goal down the middle to send the Falcons (4-2) to a 34-31 win Sunday.

Defensive end Tony Bryant was flagged for holding because he grabbed a Falcon player to allow a teammate to try to block the kick.

“I’m telling you it was a flat-out ... call,” Saint Coach Jim Haslett said, using an expletive that is likely to draw a fine from the NFL. He said the Saints ran the same play Atlanta had used a week earlier.

“They didn’t call it last week. We were pulling the guy to the outside and you’re allowed to pull as long as you’re moving forward,” he said.

Referee Bill Carollo stood behind the call.

“By definition of defensive holding on a field goal kick, two things have to happen,” he said. “First, he has to have defensive holding and the second player has to shoot into the hole. That’s what we called.”

A simple but unsatisfactory explanation for the Saints (2-4).