TAMPA - In a game where every inch mattered, one decision from Kellen Moore stood out - not for what he did, but for what he didn’t do. With the Saints battling the Buccaneers in a tight matchup, Moore chose not to challenge a critical third-down spot late in the third quarter, a move that left fans scratching their heads. But according to the first-year head coach, it wasn’t hesitation - it was a lack of visual evidence.
Here’s how it unfolded: Facing a third-and-2 from Tampa Bay’s 9-yard line with 2:26 left in the third quarter, rookie running back Audric Estime powered forward and appeared to have picked up the first down. The initial spot by officials even seemed to confirm it. But as the Saints quickly lined up to run the next play - trying to catch the Bucs off guard with tempo - the officials abruptly re-spotted the ball, ruling it short and setting up a fourth-and-1.
Moore explained that the quick tempo worked against them. “We weren’t able to get the camera (angle) because we were already in tempo,” he said. “Usually, (the) TV (broadcast) is going to go right to the live action in those scenarios, so (it was) a little bit tricky.”
In other words, by the time the Saints realized the spot had changed, it was too late to get a replay look from the booth - and without visual confirmation, Moore wasn’t willing to throw the red flag. It’s a gamble that coaches face often in today’s fast-paced NFL: push the tempo and risk missing a challenge opportunity, or slow things down and give the defense time to regroup.
The Saints did go for it on fourth down and converted, but the play was wiped out by a penalty for an illegal man downfield. That forced Moore to settle for a 30-yard field goal, which Charlie Smyth knocked through.
It was a sequence that could’ve swung momentum further in New Orleans’ favor, but instead ended with just three points. And for Moore, who’s now 0-for-3 on challenges in his debut season as a head coach, it was another tough moment in a year full of learning curves.
Still, the Saints came away with the win - and in the NFL, that’s ultimately what counts. But don’t be surprised if Moore and his staff spend extra time this week reviewing how to better balance tempo with situational awareness. Because in games like this one, the margin for error is razor thin, and sometimes, the decision not to challenge can be just as impactful as the ones that are.