We were down by 10 points, about 5 min. left in the game, and we punted. Nobody questioned it, so I assume it's "conventional wisdom" that you shouldn't go for it on 4th and long deep in your own territory. Yet I feel pretty sure that it had to be a mistake.
Stopping Denver twice without the game clock running out was almost impossible --- not enough timeouts --- so the only hope (after punting) would be to stop them for a quick 3 and out AND succeed with an onsides kick. The odds of making the one completion on 4th and long (deep in our own end) have to be better than the odds of succeeding on an onsides kick. Coaching mistake. At least 90% of other coaches would have made the same decision, but I say the conventional wisdom there is WRONG! Reminds me of when Coach Madden recommended Brady take a knee with a minute and a half left in SB36.
P.S. Look what DID happen! By the time our next scoring opportunity came along (the failed 4th and 1) there was like 1 minute left and we still needed two scores.
Stopping Denver twice without the game clock running out was almost impossible --- not enough timeouts --- so the only hope (after punting) would be to stop them for a quick 3 and out AND succeed with an onsides kick. The odds of making the one completion on 4th and long (deep in our own end) have to be better than the odds of succeeding on an onsides kick. Coaching mistake. At least 90% of other coaches would have made the same decision, but I say the conventional wisdom there is WRONG! Reminds me of when Coach Madden recommended Brady take a knee with a minute and a half left in SB36.
P.S. Look what DID happen! By the time our next scoring opportunity came along (the failed 4th and 1) there was like 1 minute left and we still needed two scores.
