Time out question (1 Viewer)

[lionsroar]

Watching the Jets Charges game yesterday. After the failed on side attempt there was like 2:12 remaining and the Chargers have 1 timeout. Jets run a play and take it to the 2 minute warning. After the 2 minute warning they run the next play and the Chargers use there last timeout after that play stopping the clock at 1:55.

I know we are only talking about 3-5 seconds here, but shouldn't the Chargers have used there last timeout before the two minute warning? You know the clock will stop at two minutes automatically (or when the play leading up to the 2 minute warning is done.) My point is every second counts. Am I wrong here?

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Watching the Jets Charges game yesterday. After the failed on side attempt there was like 2:12 remaining and the Chargers have 1 timeout. Jets run a play and take it to the 2 minute warning. After the 2 minute warning they run the next play and the Chargers use there last timeout after that play stopping the clock at 1:55. I know we are only talking about 3-5 seconds here, but shouldn't the Chargers have used there last timeout before the two minute warning? You know the clock will stop at two minutes automatically (or when the play leading up to the 2 minute warning is done.) My point is every second counts. Am I wrong here?

You are correct. Most teams have caught on to this method of saving a few seconds now, but even back in the 90's teams would wait until after the 2 minute warning.

 

[Avery]

Running a worst case scenario for the Chargers with the Jets managing to run the full 40 seconds off each play when there isn't a TO or the 2 minute warning.

Call last TO before the 2 minute warning:

Snap 1st down: 2:12 (TO after play)

Snap 2nd down: 2:00+ (2 minute warning after play)

Snap 3rd down: 2:00

Snap 4th down: 1:20

Call last TO after the 2 minute warning:

Snap 1st down: 2:12 (2 minute warning after play)

Snap 2nd down: 2:00 (TO after play)

Snap 3rd down: 1:55

Snap 4th down: 1:15

So if I have this right, it looks like we're talking a difference of a maximum of 5 seconds between the two scenarios.

Not a big difference but a difference none the less so yes, I guess the Chargers screwed that up.

 

[datonn]

Those five seconds are one play...and one play is all it takes. One extra play also gives you a couple of different options on the second to the last play too. Not many more options, but a few.

The move that always boggles my mind is when the team down late and needing the ball lets 10-15+ seconds run off the play clock before finally calling timeout. If you're down late, you want to preserve every second you can. Heck, one tick on the clock might mean the play to heave one into the end zone or get that kicking team on to the field. How professional athletes and coaches getting paid millions of dollars to focus on the sport haven't figured that out yet I will never understand.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I think there was about 2:08 remaining on the clock after the first play, so yes the Chargers should have called a time out.

However, if there was about 2:05 or less remaining on the clock, I would have let the clock run down to the 2 minute warning.

Why? It would give the Jets the opportunity to pass on that down. A completed pass would result in a first down, and the game would be over. An incomplete pass...the clock stops, but the clock automatically stops at the two minute warning.

 

[Lash]

SD bothced it yes

 

[TommyGilmore]

I think San Diego was assuming that the Jets would pass on 2nd down, thereby allowing the Chargers to save a timeout.