Dennis Allen can’t even get credit for winning a challenge. The New Orleans Saints head coach was 0-for-3 on challenges going into Week 18’s regular season finale with the Atlanta Falcons, but he rightfully pulled out the red challenge flag early in Sunday’s contest.
Rookie Saints running back Kendre Miller rumbled into the end zone, eluding half a dozen Falcons defenders, but the officiating crew on the field initially said he was stopped short of the goal line. Allen challenged that result, and the play was overturned — but that’s thanks to an instant replay review from the NFL’s home office in New York, which radioed in the correct call at the same time.
Look, no one is complaining about this, but we have to acknowledge it’s at least a little funny. Allen has deservedly drawn a lot of criticism. That he hasn’t even won a coach’s challenge by Week 18 speaks for itself. And the fact that he would have finally got in the win column there against Atlanta is notable.
But we’ll take the points, and the extra challenge. Referee John Hussey agreed that this wouldn’t count as an official challenge from Allen so he still had both of his challenges for the rest of the game. Miller’s touchdown run helped tie things up with Atlanta, and it all broke out in New Orleans’ favor.
