Post here when coaches do something you disagree with (2 Viewers)

[Short Corner]

Denver coaches let time run down rather than try to advance the ball further.  Settled for a 51 yard kick as time expired.  Kick was missed.

They ran two plays after getting into FG range with 0:41 left.  A five yard pass and a Lindsey run for -1.

 

[dhockster]

What did he do now?

Besides settling for a 51 yard FG at the end of the game when he had a chance to get a little closer, his game management at the end of the first half was atrocious. 22 seconds left, 4th and 9 at the Texans 44 yard line. Texans have 2 timeouts left. He decides to go for a 62 Field Goal, which I think at best, has about a 30% probability to be good. When McManus misses the Texans now have it at the Denver 48 with 18 seconds left and 2 timeouts. 2 completions later and the Texans are lining up for a 46 yard FG with 3 seconds left. Joseph, being the genius that he is, calls timeout right before Fairbairn misses his FG attempt. On his second try, he makes it, Texans get 3 points they shouldn't have had the chance to get, and Denver ends up losing by 2.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Denver coaches let time run down rather than try to advance the ball further.  Settled for a 51 yard kick as time expired.  Kick was missed.

I thought it was a brilliant game plan. 

Signed

- guy who faced a team with Sanders/Lindsey/McManus and won by 6

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

A lottery pick?

Dude thinks the NFL is like basketball I guess. S’why I only see his posts when someone quotes him.  

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

They ran two plays after getting into FG range with 0:41 left.  A five yard pass and a Lindsey run for -1.

The run was with 18 seconds left and was basically to get the ball to the desired hash  & take the clock down to 3. 

To be accurate, they were awfully casual about it.  They got to “range” with 48 seconds left. 

Thats enough time for more than 2 plays for a professional football team. 

They should have taken at least 2 more shots to get closer IMO. 

Obviously you can’t take a sack there - which is why we see posts in this topic about coaches who’ll run slow developing plays or play action in that situation. But a couple quick hitters to shave 5 or 10 more yards off would have exponentially increased the Broncos odds of winning there. 

I’m not sure why they opted to kill 48 seconds for basically 1 pass. Seems like they mismanaged that pretty badly to me. 

 

[Short Corner]

The run was with 18 seconds left and was basically to get the ball to the desired hash  & take the clock down to 3. 

To be accurate, they were awfully casual about it.  They got to “range” with 48 seconds left. 

Thats enough time for more than 2 plays for a professional football team. 

They should have taken at least 2 more shots to get closer IMO. 

Obviously you can’t take a sack there - which is why we see posts in this topic about coaches who’ll run slow developing plays or play action in that situation. But a couple quick hitters to shave 5 or 10 more yards off would have exponentially increased the Broncos odds of winning there. 

I’m not sure why they opted to kill 48 seconds for basically 1 pass. Seems like they mismanaged that pretty badly to me. 

The ball was on the right hash and they ran the ball....to the right.  So no.  If a team does that they generally just roll the QB over to avoid a botched exchange.  They went conservative and possibly thought they would catch HOU off guard as they did with a similar play to start the drive.  

As far as the clock, they called a TO immediately after the catch putting them in FG range stopping the clock with :43, not 48.  I thinnk they could have clocked it there or after the catch on first down to give them a better shot at giving them more yardage.  Not going to knock them for going more conservative on second down given the pass rushers HOU has and they were down to one TO.   McManus was better than 50% from 50+ and this attempt was on the lower extreme of that range and in the thin DEN air.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

The ball was on the right hash and they ran the ball....to the right.  So no.  If a team does that they generally just roll the QB over to avoid a botched exchange.  They went conservative and possibly thought they would catch HOU off guard as they did with a similar play to start the drive.  

As far as the clock, they called a TO immediately after the catch putting them in FG range stopping the clock with :43, not 48.  I thinnk they could have clocked it there or after the catch on first down to give them a better shot at giving them more yardage.  Not going to knock them for going more conservative on second down given the pass rushers HOU has and they were down to one TO.   McManus was better than 50% from 50+ and this attempt was on the lower extreme of that range and in the thin DEN air.

We agree they went conservative.

in my opinion they settled for a coin flip of a chance to likely 65-70% if they advance the ball another 10-15 yards.

43 seconds is still plenty of time for a couple of shots at the sideline, or over the middle and a spike. 

 

[Rodrigo Duterte]

I thought it was a brilliant game plan. 

Signed

- guy who faced a team with Sanders/Lindsey/McManus and won by 6

 Please, do tell us more about your teams and also the winning margin.  It's relevant to the thread and you have us on the edge of our seats.  Proud of ya, kid!

 

[zftcg]

We agree they went conservative.

in my opinion they settled for a coin flip of a chance to likely 65-70% if they advance the ball another 10-15 yards.

43 seconds is still plenty of time for a couple of shots at the sideline, or over the middle and a spike. 

Did Joseph get grilled by the media over this in his post-game presser? Or does the press reserve that for coaches who attempt a two-pointer in a high-percentage situation?

 

[zftcg]

 Please, do tell us more about your teams and also the winning margin.  It's relevant to the thread and you have us on the edge of our seats.  Proud of ya, kid!

Dude, lighten up. I don't always agree with him, but HSG is all over these forums and contributes a ton of value (not to mention free hot sauce to people who can accurately forecast kicker performances). If anyone has earned the right to make an occasional joke about his team without being asked for his hall pass, it's him.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Did Joseph get grilled by the media over this in his post-game presser? Or does the press reserve that for coaches who attempt a two-pointer in a high-percentage situation?

Didn’t see it. He should have been asked - i would love to hear the rationale. 

 

[zftcg]

Didn’t see it. He should have been asked - i would love to hear the rationale. 

I remember a couple years ago when Dan Quinn kicked a FG on 4th and goal from the 1, down 4 in the fourth quarter. Might have just been my own wishful thinking, but it really seemed like that was a bit of a turning point. Typically in those situations, a few fans and quantitatively inclined writers might grumble about the decision-making process, but the media would ignore it. In that case, he really seemed to catch a lot of hell over the decision, and by this point, I'm not remotely surprised when coaches go for it in that situation (on last night's SNF, as the Pats prepared to go for it, Collinsworth called up stats demonstrating how it would affect their win percentage).

I would really love to see a similar turning point on coaches getting overly conservative on game-ending FG drives. Hopefully this can be the starting point.

 

[Rodrigo Duterte]

Mark Kiszla ripped him in the Denver Post.

 

[rockaction]

Patriots M.O. - Just let the other team beat themselves.  Been working for about 15 years straight now.  ETA - wrong thread lol

Bill Belichick's M.O. is that the NFL is dumb and you can just work around things. 

That's actually true. He's a Wesleyan guy that doesn't buy into the...you know. He really thinks the NFL is dumb, and they prove him right every year.  

 

[Mookie]

Spencer Long, the Jets center, has a hand injury that is affecting his ability to snap the ball.  It's especially bad in shotgun situations as he can't snap it straight.  It goes way left, way high, way low, which throws off the timing of plays repeatedly.  He's had the problem for a few weeks, but the Jets haven't brought anyone in, don't have confidence in his backup, and don't alter their game plan to account for a center who can't snap in shotgun. 

For 3 quarters of a close game yesterday, Long is snapping the ball all over the place and is an OBVIOUS liability on the field - James Fricken' Lofton is even saying "get him out of there!"   In spite of this, the CS leave Long in and keep putting Darnold in shotgun.  Another crummy shotgun snap forces Darnold into a one hand snag, which throws off the timing of the play, and he delivers a late throw outside which is intercepted for a pick 6.   Long stays in.  The next series, Long shotgun snaps one over Darnold's head but the Jets manage to recover and a promising 4th quarter series is over.  The next and final series, Long is mercifully benched.  Jets lose 13-6.  

 

[Bri]

Vrabel's in-depth evaluation of Mariota tonight was (and I quote) "He hit some throws, he missed some throws."

 

[Grahamburn]

Koetter took back offensive play calling duties today for the first time this season.  The result?  3 points.  News flash, your offense wasn't the problem.

He also challenged a play late in the game with no timeouts costing his team 15 yards.  Pack your stuff, bub.

 

[kittenmittens]

Koetter took back offensive play calling duties today for the first time this season.  The result?  3 points.  News flash, your offense wasn't the problem.

He also challenged a play late in the game with no timeouts costing his team 15 yards.  Pack your stuff, bub.

Not yet! They could totally finish 10 and 6 once they get the Fitz magic back! 

Oh... Wait... 

 

[kittenmittens]

Seattle keeps running the ball down two scores with less than 4 minutes to play. 

It just bit them, still haven't scored and hit the 2 minute warning. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Let’s talk about the Rams for a moment. 

Dumb coaching? Rams? Unpossible, you say!    

The fact is, the Rams almost coached themselves out of this win. 

Up 2 points, with 9 mins left to play, and with arguably the best running back in football, the Rams had the following sequence:  incomplete pass, short pass, incomplete pass, punt. 

They get the ball back. Pass pass pass pass pass FG. Sure they scored 3, but that just put them up 5 and killed almost no clock. Seahawks needed to use 0 time outs. 

Fast forward, Rams score, then Seattle scores.  It’s 36-31 Rams with 1:50 to play.

the Rams get cute again, try a run with Woods for a loss of 6. Then they *finally* run Gurley (who goes for 7) then it’s a false start, 3rd & 9, pass to Cooks for 7 & punt, giving Seattle the ball with 1:26 on the clock. Which is plenty of time to maybe score a TD.

i know the Rams / McVay are creative. I know they’re innovative. But this was some ridiculous playcalling for a late game ball-control situation, & it could have easily cost them this win.

i don’t hesitate to call it “dumb” and it belongs in this topic. Gurley gutted them for 150+’yards today - hand him the damn ball 3x inside 2 mins & win the damn game.  Getting cute is never the answer there - I can’t imagine what would possess the Rams to run once in a 9 play sequence when they need to kill clock and win the game. If they’d lost this game there’d be a lot more criticism out there than what I’m giving em in here. Since they won, it doesn’t really matter, but it was still dumb. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Vrabel's in-depth evaluation of Mariota tonight was (and I quote) "He hit some throws, he missed some throws."

I saw that.  

almost as insightful as when they asked Mayfield about the game and he said he “woke up feeling dangerous today”. Classic. 

 

[Heisenberg23]

1st and goal on 5 and zeke gets no touches- this is after the long hurdle play.. FG... Garrett is awful. 

 

[zftcg]

Dak running a sneak from the 1 with 30 seconds left in the half and no TOs was just as dumb as Eli doing the same thing in that MNF game a few weeks ago. Fortunately for Dallas, he converted.

 

[Rodrigo Duterte]

Let’s talk about the Rams for a moment. 

Dumb coaching? Rams? Unpossible, you say!    

The fact is, the Rams almost coached themselves out of this win. 

Up 2 points, with 9 mins left to play, and with arguably the best running back in football, the Rams had the following sequence:  incomplete pass, short pass, incomplete pass, punt. 

They get the ball back. Pass pass pass FG. Sure they scored 3, but that just put them up 5 and killed almost no clock. Seahawks needed to use 0 time outs. 

Fast forward, Rams score, then Seattle scores.  It’s 36-31 Rams with 1:50 to play.

the Rams get cute again, try a run with Woods for a loss of 6. Then they *finally* run Gurley (who goes for 7) then it’s a false start, 3rd & 9, pass to Cooks for 7 & punt, giving Seattle the ball with 1:26 on the clock. Which is plenty of time to maybe score a TD.

i know the Rams / McVay are creative. I know they’re innovative. But this was some ridiculous playcalling for a late game ball-control situation, & it could have easily cost them this win.

i don’t hesitate to call it “dumb” and it belongs in this topic. Gurley gutted them for 150+’yards today - hand him the damn ball 3x inside 2 mins & win the damn game.  Getting cute is never the answer there - I can’t imagine what would possess the Rams to run once in a 9 play sequence when they need to kill clock and win the game. If they’d lost this game there’d be a lot more criticism out there than what I’m giving em in here. Since they won, it doesn’t really matter, but it was still dumb. 

So you're thinking is to be totally predictable and try to nurse a lead home?  Against a team you weren't really stopping with a QB that can easily beat you?  Brilliant.  That's not predictable at all and has never cost an NFL coach a game.

Trying to say McVay is dumb is beyond, um, dumb.  Or just plain stupid.  Nice work.

 

[Short Corner]

So you're thinking is to be totally predictable and try to nurse a lead home?  Against a team you weren't really stopping with a QB that can easily beat you?  Brilliant.  That's not predictable at all and has never cost an NFL coach a game.

Trying to say McVay is dumb is beyond, um, dumb.  Or just plain stupid.  Nice work.

This thread used to be decent.  It has become laughable.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Dak running a sneak from the 1 with 30 seconds left in the half and no TOs was just as dumb as Eli doing the same thing in that MNF game a few weeks ago. Fortunately for Dallas, he converted.

 Also worth noting (as I did in the game topic when it happened) that they wouldn’t have been as frantic had they not carelessly burned all 3 of their time-outs. 

All 3 times it was procedural - they just didn’t know wtf they were doing at the line & had to fall TO before the clock ticked 0, as though they hadn’t practiced all week, or played a single game this year. 

Just mind-bogglingly wasteful - zero urgency, preparedness or respect for the value of a time-out.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

So you're thinking is to be totally predictable and try to nurse a lead home?  Against a team you weren't really stopping with a QB that can easily beat you?  Brilliant.  That's not predictable at all and has never cost an NFL coach a game.

Trying to say McVay is dumb is beyond, um, dumb.  Or just plain stupid.  Nice work.

No, Mr. “briefly taken off ignore” since i had to see someone quote you, that’s not “what I’m thinking” at all.

what I’m saying is exactly what I said - there’s no need to misrepresent that in your post, just like there’s no need for you to constantly make racist comments on these forums, which is why I put you on ignore in the first place. There are no lines to read between - it’s all right there in my post. 

The Rams made no efffort to play ball control. None. They killed almost zero clock on 3 4th quarter drives. 

That was the central point of my analysis that you somehow missed, despite it being clearly spelled out for you, in a post you quoted, no less.

That Gurley was averaging over 5 YPC seems relevant. The Seahawks couldn’t stop him. And running the ball kills clock. Which again, the Rams failed to do, which kept the seahawks in the game by giving them more time. Incomplete passes stop the clock. Obviously. 

As for “saying McVay is dumb, or beyond dumb”, that’s something you projected. Which is a bit weird, since you quoted my entire post, yet nowhere in my post did I once say McVay was either “dumb” or “beyond dumb”.  Nowhere on this forum have I said that, for that matter because I do not think McVay is either “dumb” or “beyond dumb”.

This is the “post here when coaches do something dumb”, topic. It’s not the “personally attack a coach and say he’s dumb” topic. Smart coaches sometimes do dumb things. 

And in my opinion (which I am 100% entitled to btw) the Rams decisions in the 4th quarter nearly cost them the win. I laid out a pretty solid case for why, and one day when you learn reading comprehension, perhaps you’ll understand that. 

But for now I’ll put you back on ignore so that i won’t be subjected to your oh-so-insightful commentary on why certain races of receiver are faster/smarter than others, or any other idiotic racism that you continuously troll this forum with.  Go crawl back under your rock, and have a nice day. Hopefully people will stop quoting you. 

 

[zftcg]

 Also worth noting (as I did in the game topic when it happened) that they wouldn’t have been as frantic had they not carelessly burned all 3 of their time-outs. 

All 3 times it was procedural - they just didn’t know wtf they were doing at the line & had to fall TO before the clock ticked 0, as though they hadn’t practiced all week, or played a single game this year. 

Just mind-bogglingly wasteful - zero urgency, preparedness or respect for the value of a time-out.

I mean, at least he didn't do it twice like Eli. And I suppose it's possible he audibled to it based on something he saw in Philly's alignment. But overall, yeah, that was bad clock management.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I mean, at least he didn't do it twice like Eli. And I suppose it's possible he audibled to it based on something he saw in Philly's alignment. But overall, yeah, that was bad clock management.

 Yep. Sometimes even if it works, it’s still stupid.  

 

[Rodrigo Duterte]

As for “saying McVay is dumb, or beyond dumb”, that’s something you projected. Which is a bit weird, since you quoted my entire post, yet nowhere in my post did I once say McVay was either “dumb” or “beyond dumb”.  Nowhere on this forum have I said that, for that matter because I do not think McVay is either “dumb” or “beyond dumb”.

"i don’t hesitate to call it “dumb” and it belongs in this topic." ..."Since they won, it doesn’t really matter, but it was still dumb."

Your words not mine.  But feel free to continue to talk in circles and backtrack.

 

[apalmer]

"i don’t hesitate to call it “dumb” and it belongs in this topic." ..."Since they won, it doesn’t really matter, but it was still dumb."

Your words not mine.  But feel free to continue to talk in circles and backtrack.

Not everyone who does something dumb is a dumb person. Sometimes smart people do dumb things. He can say McVay did something dumb without calling McVay dumb.

 

[Rodrigo Duterte]

Not everyone who does something dumb is a dumb person. Sometimes smart people do dumb things. He can say McVay did something dumb without calling McVay dumb.

I understand that.  But claiming he was making dumb decisions is akin to it.

Regardless of semantics, I am allowed to disagree with his take (although not without him going berserk), am I not?

Look, the John Fox's and Jason Garret's of the NFL never get over the top due to that same conservative, play-not-to-lose mentality that is all too prevalent in the NFL.  Pederson took out the Patriots and won the Superbowl by making unexpected play-calls.  They won't always work but they do so far more than the predictable, fetal-position play-calling that Sauce Guy is advocating.  Thus, I couldn't disagree more with his take.

McVay is a brilliant young football mind who is going to win a Superbowl.  Probably a few of them.  And it's precisely because he has the balls to go outside the box and gamble.  Not unlike guys like Parcells and Jimmie Johnson did.

 

[fred_1_15301]

I understand that.  But claiming he was making dumb decisions is akin to it.

Regardless of semantics, I am allowed to disagree with his take (although not without him going berserk), am I not?

Look, the John Fox's and Jason Garret's of the NFL never get over the top due to that same conservative, play-not-to-lose mentality that is all too prevalent in the NFL.  Pederson took out the Patriots and won the Superbowl by making unexpected play-calls.  They won't always work but they do so far more than the predictable, fetal-position play-calling that Sauce Guy is advocating.  Thus, I couldn't disagree more with his take.

McVay is a brilliant young football mind who is going to win a Superbowl.  Probably a few of them.  And it's precisely because he has the balls to go outside the box and gamble.  Not unlike guys like Parcells and Jimmie Johnson did.

“Fetal position” by running with Gurley (the best rb in football) occasionally?  As HSG mentioned in his post, Seattle didn’t have an answer for Gurley.  We aren’t talking about killing some clock with Peyton Barber here.  I think the positive expected value play would have been to call a few running plays in that situation but that’s just my opinion.

 

[CalBear]

“Fetal position” by running with Gurley (the best rb in football) occasionally?  As HSG mentioned in his post, Seattle didn’t have an answer for Gurley.  We aren’t talking about killing some clock with Peyton Barber here.  I think the positive expected value play would have been to call a few running plays in that situation but that’s just my opinion.

It is not "obviously stupid" (which is what this thread is about) to continue throwing there. Certainly there are many examples in this very thread of "why did you stop throwing, your offense was working great until you just ran it into the line three times". 

 

[ShamrockPride]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

 

[SayWhat?]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

And non-challenge after having a minute plus to look at a replay that couldn’t have more clearly shown that was incomplete.  

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

The fact that Aaron Rodgers wasted the prime of his career with this guy makes me irrationally angry. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

 Gutless decision.  One of the most overrated head coaches I've ever seen in any sport. 

 

[Hilts]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

Terrible call, but it let Seattle coaches escape the spotlight for their questionable play calling this year as well. 

 

[lod001]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

What a complete moron. So what if you don't get the 1st down. They get a short field. If they score, you then get the ball and 4 downs to move the chains and a chance to tie it even win the game. That clown was 'playing the numbers'' but the number was zero chance of winning. He's got to go.

 

[Raging weasel]

 Gutless decision.  One of the most overrated head coaches I've ever seen in any sport. 

Yep, when the Pack win it's despite him. LeBron would've had him fired 2-3 years ago.

 

[Short Corner]

 Gutless decision.  One of the most overrated head coaches I've ever seen in any sport. 

Overrated by whom?

 

[matuski]

When I watch that game - I'm blaming the QB before the coach.

 

[davearm]

Overrated by whom?

By Mike McCarthy, for one.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

McCarthy. Nice punt.

 I have bigger issues with the non-challenge of the Tyler Lockett catch that proceeded that. 

 Even in real time I Saul the ball moving and thought it warranted a challenge in such a critical moment of the game. 

 But reportedly they did not challenge because they only had one timeout left? That is infinitely more gutless them not going for it on fourth down. 

 You absolutely have to challenge that. That was a game changing wussy move. 

 

[Dizzy]

When I watch that game - I'm blaming the QB before the coach.

Agreed. That last possession was on Rogers for sure... some of the sacks as well... just holding on to the ball too long. Not his best performance.

 

[efactor]

Agreed. That last possession was on Rogers for sure... some of the sacks as well... just holding on to the ball too long. Not his best performance.

Agreed he didn't play his best, but it just goes to show how dependent GB is on Rodgers being at his elite best in order to compete.  Anything less and they will lose.

Wilson was pretty bad most of the first half, but Seattle was able to overcome that and win the game as a team.   

Not challenging the 34 yard Lockett catch when you had a couple minutes to review due to the injury is inexcusable.  As was punting the ball back to Seattle with 4 minutes left and only one time out when your defense was getting shredded.  Jones 6 touches in 2nd half.  Really bad coaching last night for GB

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It is not "obviously stupid" (which is what this thread is about) to continue throwing there. Certainly there are many examples in this very thread of "why did you stop throwing, your offense was working great until you just ran it into the line three times". 

Q: Why let the resident troll control the narrative when you know that he constantly misrepresents people‘s posts? 

 I never said they should run Gurley into the line 3 times.  That would be equally preposterous to what they actually did too. 

 And what they did was  utterly ignore late game clock management. On three entire 4th quarter drives, they ran the ball once.    Twice, if you count the ridiculous trick play where they tried to get even more cute, and lost 6 yards on a Woods carry. Two of those drives resulted in quick punts and one resulted in scoring but took less than 2 minutes off of the clock. 

 As I clearly stated, I believe the Rams coaching staff to be one of the most creative and intelligent in the game. (so you can also disregard the troll’s statement to the contrary since I never said anything remotely like that) -  however, in that situation they failed to run any clock, and essentially let their opponent stay in the game by giving them extra possessions. 

 And considering the one running play they called for Todd Gurley he ran for 7 yards,  one could likely argue that the Rams could have taken four or five minutes off the clock with a more balanced approach  and a focus on extending the drive and burning the clock.  One could also argue there would’ve been greater value in a three and out, even if they’d run it into the line 3x, for the sole reason that the clock would continue to run as compared to the incomplete passes that they did “execute” which resulted in clock stoppage. 

 This is a coaching staff that has been criticized in the past for getting pass heavy. Thus, I am not the first to point it out. However, this is the first time I can recall that they got pass happy that late in a game while nursing a very small lead. And it almost cost them the game. 

 And so I still think that was kind of stupid. 

 

[zftcg]

Q: Why let the resident troll control the narrative when you know that he constantly misrepresents people‘s posts? 

 I never said they should run Gurley into the line 3 times.  That would be equally preposterous to what they actually did too. 

 And what they did was  utterly ignore late game clock management. On three entire 4th quarter drives, they ran the ball once.    Twice, if you count the ridiculous trick play where they tried to get even more cute, and lost 6 yards on a Woods carry. Two of those drives resulted in quick punts and one resulted in scoring but took less than 2 minutes off of the clock. 

 As I clearly stated, I believe the Rams coaching staff to be one of the most creative and intelligent in the game. (so you can also disregard the troll’s statement to the contrary since I never said anything remotely like that) -  however, in that situation they failed to run any clock, and essentially let their opponent stay in the game by giving them extra possessions. 

 And considering the one running play they called for Todd Gurley he ran for 7 yards,  one could likely argue that the Rams could have taken four or five minutes off the clock with a more balanced approach  and a focus on extending the drive and burning the clock.  One could also argue there would’ve been greater value in a three and out, even if they’d run it into the line 3x, for the sole reason that the clock would continue to run as compared to the incomplete passes that they did “execute” which resulted in clock stoppage. 

 This is a coaching staff that has been criticized in the past for getting pass heavy. Thus, I am not the first to point it out. However, this is the first time I can recall that they got pass happy that late in a game while nursing a very small lead. And it almost cost them the game. 

 And so I still think that was kind of stupid. 

I've always found the "run vs pass" debate to be overly simplistic. There are very different kinds of runs and passes, and it depends on defensive alignments as well. (Best example of this is after SB 51, when Shanahan was criticized for calling too many passes. On one of those plays, he had a WR wide open behind the secondary, and if Freeman doesn't whiff on the blitz pickup it's a TD, Atlanta puts the game away, and none of us are talking about play selection. Instead, Hightower got a strip sack.)

In this specific case, I think the debate has obscured the main point of your criticism, which is that whatever their play calls, the Rams did a horrible job of bleeding the clock. 

For most of a football game, yards gained and win probability are almost entirely correlated. The more yards you gain, the more it increases your WP. But at some point when you're leading late, time becomes more important than yards. A two yard plunge into the line helps your WP more than a five yard sweep that goes out of bounds.

I can't tell you the exact numbers, but I would be willing to bet the Rams' play calling lowered their WP.

 

[trader jake]

Cowboys just short of midfield when Zeke gets tackled with over 5 seconds left on the clock before half.  Rather than calling their last time out and throwing a hail mary...The Clapper just lets the clock run out.  Why?