It was a weird dynamic. First, neither defense could stop the other team's offense. But the decision to go for it definitely seemed like a sort of gracious "if you stop us here, you win" (which is what SD had to do before the bad call) kind of gesture on Shanny's part.

Interesting narratives being conjured up itt.

I don't care what his reasoning was, he went for 2, it was successful, and no coach has done so in 4 years.

Copycat league tho

This

I was looking for a YT video of Shanny's presser after that game and instead found this:

Ftr there was a game where TB was down 7, scored a last-minute TD and lol Redskins jumped offsides on the extra point which gave Bucs a chance from the 1 yd line and Gruden went with Alstott for the win.

Not super gutsy, but still probably better than 28/32 current head coaches.

Did anyone just witness Central Michigan? Up 24-21 WKY has 4th and 2 clock running at around 1:30 they don't call timeout to leave the offense time to win the game.

lol @ you

Agree, this is one of Belichicks bigger holes, his 2nd and 1 play calling is 80% sneaks/run up the middle. His big rule is whatever you do if you're a back don't lose yardage. Theory wise it really ought to be a pass heavy down but it's one of those things where thats just how the NFL is so nobody has to change.

Lol, according to the PbP, the kicker missed the first attempt, which is why there was a second one (if he had made it, the penalty would have been enforced on the kickoff). So it may be that the coach didn't trust the kicker after he missed the XP the first time.

IIRC, the PAT was blocked by the guy who was offside coming around the edge

Yeah I'd like to see more coaches take some shats fired here on 2nd and short*. But usually they just POUND THE ROCK and gotta keep them chains moving. Getcherself a fresh set of downs.

*Especially with the FACT that 85%** of passes result in a facemask, defensive holding, DPI, or defenseless receiver penalty.

**Not sure about this number

Lovie did it once and didn't get it. Can't say it was in the last four years though. Would you believe Lovie has been in Chicago for nine years?

Another coaching cliche I love is during 2 minute drills, always keep a timeout in your back pocket for the FG team

2 min left 3rd quarter. San Jose st scores a td to go up 18-13 and kicks pat. Too early to go for 2?

San Jose St scores a TD with 4 mins left in 3rd to go up 5. Go for 2 to make it a 7 point game right?
Nah. Kicks the XP to go up 6.

Coaches should have to pass a written test to get some jobs.

when will they learn

and just like that BG scores and kicks the XP for the lead. gjge SJ coach

Its amazing to me how people dont seem to realize that gaining 1 yard and converting on 2nd and 1 is almost always quite bad for you.

Which is why if I was defensive coach I'd commit encroachment on purpose every time it was 2nd and 1.

Ya, sneak on 2nd and 1 is really bad.

This may be a game theory optimal strategy but its not exploitative

Maybe I am slow but why exactly is this the case?

Which situation would you rather be in? 1st and 10, or 2nd and 1 at the same place on the field? 2nd and 1 obviously, right?

Well, by running a sneak play designed to pick up only 1 yard, you are converting 2nd and 1 into 1st and 10 (I'll generously assume it's guaranteed to succeed), and in return you are getting one measly yard of field position. Since 2nd and 1 is obviously so much better, you should be able to see this is not adequate compensation.

2nd and 1 is so good because it's more or less a free down where you can run whatever play you like - take a shot down field, whatever - and still pick up the first down the vast majority of the time if the play fails. Sneaking just throws that away for virtually no reason.

To be fair, part of that is predicated on the fact that you should be going for it on 4th and 1 anyway.

If you are an NFL coach and therefore punting on 4th and 1 in 90% of situations, i could see some merit to just wanting to move the sticks.


But I agree with you.

Going for it on 4th and 1 would make it better, but that isn't what it is predicated on.

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2008...own-and-1.html

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2008...gh-on-2nd.html