Getty Image / Jonathan Bachman
Most football fans think they can call better plays than the offensive coordinator. Usually that’s nonsense, but the final offensive play of the New Orleans Saints 31-24 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars proved that sometimes fans could call better plays from their couch.
Take a look at this ridiculous call on 4th and goal.
The 4th down pass is incomplete and the @Jaguars are going to get the victory#JAXvsNO on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/89nUeCngbn pic.twitter.com/s818wxCpyC— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2023
A fade? On 4th and ball game? That is an absolutely terrible call by New Orleans offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. That’s the kind of call that makes the fan base lose any faith in a coach for a long time.
To make matters worse for Saints fans, this came after a 3rddown play that saw wide open tight end Foster Moreau drop a perfect pass from Derek Carr in the back left corner of the end zone. It was a bone-crushing way to lose a game in which the Saints trailed 24-9 at one point in the fourth quarter. They rallied to tie the game at 24, only to give up a long touchdown to Christian Kirk.
Saints fans are pretty ticked off, as they should be.
That would be a fitting last play call for Pete Carmichael as a Saint,” one Twitter user said.
“That play call on 4th down was a picture perfect way for the dog s— Saints to end this game lmao,” Another user said.
“4th and goal, game on the line and they throw a fade to a 6′ receiver. Horrible play call, and a terrible throw. #Saints,” someone else said.
The loss drops the Saints to 3-4 in an NFC South that is very much up for grabs. The Jaguars improve to 5-2, winners of four straight.