Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian explains criticized final play from 2017

The Atlanta Falcons’ 2017 season ended on a bizarre note back in January when the offense ran an unusual play on fourth down that did not work. Five months after the play, the coach responsible for the call explained his reasoning.

Trailing the Philadelphia Eagles 15-10 in the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional round matchup, the Falcons faced fourth-and-goal from the Eagles’ 2-yard line. With fullback Derrick Coleman as the lone receiver on the left side of the formation, Matt Ryan took the snap from shotgun and rolled to his right on a designed bootleg, where he had two receivers in the end zone directly in front of him.

Ryan was pressured and heaved a desperation pass to Julio Jones, who…