NFL Films cameras caught Sean Payton telling Drew Brees during the 2-minute warning break that they were going to play for the touchdown. Payton said he didn’t want to run 55 seconds off the clock and kick a FG.
The Saints ran just 13 seconds off the clock and gained no yards after starting 1st and 10 from the Rams’ 13 with 1:58 left.
If they used 55 seconds and kicked, the Rams would have only been left with 1:03 in regulation to score. On its game-tying drive, it took LA 1-minute, 26 seconds before attempting the 48-yard FG.
By throwing two of the three plays, the Saints just butchered the clock and didn’t force LA to burn all of its timeouts.