Pete said he "felt like he was in outer space"

[c_hawkbob]

... Making the decision to pull Russ and Bennett and Jimmy and the other starters he sat. He said he made the decision when it became he "found out what was going on in the other game" and it became apparent we were out of the running for the 2 seed.

Evidently the difference between the 3 and 4 seed was not a consideration.

[mykc14]

That decision was just crazy to me. I don't normally question coaches too much, but that had the potential to be one of the worst coaching decisions in history, IMO, especially considering the Saints came within an onside kick recovery of having the ball with a chance to beat the falcons and give us the 2 seed.

[c_hawkbob]

I'm with you, thought it was a poor decision all the way around. Of course, I think that's why Pete felt like he was in out space ... because the decision was against his instincts too ... he said he never does that (but once he did we going to either win or lose with it, he wasn't going to second guess himself).

[obiken]

I'm with you, thought it was a poor decision all the way around. Of course, I think that's why Pete felt like he was in out space ... because the decision was against his instincts too ... he said he never does that (but once he did we going to either win or lose with it, he wasn't going to second guess himself).

I am just happy RW isn't hurt.

[jshawaii22]

Earth to Pete: Never count a Drew Brees led team out of a game.

And I'm sorry, but Detroit and Atlanta are a much better matchup than the Giants and Dallas, which is what we would be looking at with #6 seed.

[Hawk Sista]

Had we been ahead a lil more, I could see it to protect players and give learning moments to others - but WTF??? I agree; he was from outer space in that moment. We were fortunate that we won. JEEZ
A. We needed a win for momentum, if nothing else.
B. 3rd and 4th seeds are different.
C. New Orleans just about fought back and won, &
D. We almost lost.

[Zorn76]

I didn't get it, either, then thought for a moment that circumstances were that we were locked into the #3 at that point.
Oops.
Luckily, it worked out. Nice job btw for Boykin to go in and convert some Key 3rd downs. This game really shouldn't have been this close, but it was nice to see him improvise and make some plays.
Huge break hosting Detroit. Can't overlook anyone, but I feel good about odds next week.
We will see.
Maybe struggling more than anticipated today will serve as a good reminder for the postseason.
I'll take anything I can get at this point.

[RiverDog]

I'm waiting for some of those folks that thought running a fake punt when we were up by 3 TD's in the 4th quarter against the Rams was a great decision to come in and defend this decision to pull the starters at about the same time in a two score game that still had major playoff implications, not to mention the psychological "killer instinct" justification that was used to defend the fake punt.

What's the matter, HC? Cat got your tongue?

Edit: Actually being at the game and without internet access, I thought that we must have had the 3 seed all sewn up even had we lost for Pete to pull the starters when he did, then it might have made a little more sense. But the fact that the Falcons were still involved in a competitive game (I looked up at the scoreboard when he pulled them, Saints were down by 38-19 halfway thru the 4th), ending up losing by just 6 points, made this a monumental blunder the likes of which have cost head coaches their jobs.

[Hawktawk]

Good reminder about the fake punt LOL. Up 3 scores with under five to play at home fake punt get punter concussed. On the road up a score and a half with 10 to go pull the starters.
Consistent...Not. Coherent???Not.
I love me some PC and hes won a lot but there's a track record of curious decisions that's hard to pinpoint starting with 4th and 2 USC vs Texas .
I think the decision yesterday could have had devastating effects on a team already strained at the seams with emotions had Seattle lost.
And for him to think playing the Giants then heading to Dallas is the same as Detroit, Atlanta, and maybe a home NFC title game depending is crazy thinking, poor situational awareness.

The upside is Boykin was able to pull it together after his disastrous first series and make the plays to put the game on ice so all's well that ends well.

[mykc14]

I'm waiting for some of those folks that thought running a fake punt when we were up by 3 TD's in the 4th quarter against the Rams was a great decision to come in and defend this decision to pull the starters at about the same time in a two score game that still had major playoff implications, not to mention the psychological "killer instinct" justification that was used to defend the fake punt.

What's the matter, HC? Cat got your tongue?

Edit: Actually being at the game and without internet access, I thought that we must have had the 3 seed all sewn up even had we lost for Pete to pull the starters when he did, then it might have made a little more sense. But the fact that the Falcons were still involved in a competitive game (I looked up at the scoreboard when he pulled them, Saints were down by 38-19 halfway thru the 4th), ending up losing by just 6 points, made this a monumental blunder the likes of which have cost head coaches their jobs.

I defended the fake punt but not this decision, had the potential to be a historical blunder.

[RiverDog]

I defended the fake punt but not this decision, had the potential to be a historical blunder.

Good on you, mykc. There's no way you could defend both decisions. If a person is going to say that a 3 TD lead isn't insurmountable and that we need to play through the game with the pedal to the metal, you can't defend this decision to pull our starters with a 9 point lead and plenty of time left. Even if the game meant nothing in terms of playoff seeding, you don't go full out for 54 minutes then pull all your key players when the game is still very much in doubt.

[NorthHawk]

Early in Pete's tenure we would discuss his time clock usage and challenges early in the games.
There's always something to second guess, I suppose but he had to make the decisions on the fly.
Russell could always go back in, it's not like he was in street clothes.

[RiverDog]

Early in Pete's tenure we would discuss his time clock usage and challenges early in the games.
There's always something to second guess, I suppose but he had to make the decisions on the fly.
Russell could always go back in, it's not like he was in street clothes.

He had Boykin in there when it was 25-23 with 5 minutes to go. If the 49'ers had scored say off a Boykin turnover, he would have to had put Russell and Co. back in after we had lost a 9 point lead, like closing the barn door after the horses got out.

No matter how you slice it, this was a really poor decision. He played Russell the entire game in a 21 point victory vs. the Rams two weeks ago, what was it he felt in this game that compelled him to pull Russell that he didn't feel in the last 5 minutes of the Rams game?

Pete was playing Russian roulette, and fortunately he missed the chamber with the bullet in it.