What’s more fun than guessing NFL coaches? Nothing, that’s it. So let’s do it every week right here. We’ve had a number of bold coaching decisions this week, from Shane Steichen’s successful two-and-one gamble with 12 seconds left in the Colts’ win over the Patriots to Raheem Morris’ decision to stick with a clearly struggling Kirk Cousins in the loss in Atlanta. to the Los Angeles Chargers.
But let’s look over the edge at a coaching decision that could have been disastrous…
The scenario
With 14:09 left in the game, the Chargers led the Falcons 17-13, but faced fourth-and-4 at their own 39-yard line. Los Angeles struggled to move the ball all game — their points came from three field goals and a pick-six plus a two-point conversion. what to do
Punting case
The Chargers led by four points and the Los Angeles defense was able to hold Atlanta to two field goals in the second half. Plus, even though Atlanta’s Younghoe Koo missed a field goal earlier in the game, he made the final two and the ball was already in his reach. Why give Atlanta the ball already within shooting range?
A case of punctuation
Hey, what’s life without a little risk? You might catch the defense napping! Plus, with 14 minutes left in the game, there was plenty of time to recover from even the most catastrophic mistakes. So why not roll the dice?
The result
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh opted for a fake punt and got about 75 percent of the yards he needed…
“We didn’t run it exactly the way we coached it and we just didn’t pull it off,” Harbaugh said, adding, “The defense overcame a coaching decision I wish I could take back.”
The result
Harbaugh actually bailed thanks to his defense … and the erratic arm of Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins. Within 10 plays of a botched punt, Atlanta methodically marched down to the Los Angeles 13 … where Cousins threw an incredibly ugly hit into the end zone.
And that wouldn’t even be Cousins’ last interception of the day! Neither team scored again and the overall score remained at 17-13. Harbaugh escaped with the win, but against a more accurate team, a botched punt could have been missed by a crushing error.
So. Fourth quarter, four more. Are you a tipster or a cheater? Your call.