Up 7-0 in the 2nd QTR, Tomlin goes for it on 4th down from his own 29 (1 Viewer)

[Pound]

4-1-PIT 29 (7:24) 7-B.Roethlisberger up the middle to PIT 31 for 2 yards (97-C.Pace).

So they got the first down, but what in the hell? Are we playing Madden here? The coaching decisions from both teams were very strange.

Did Tomlin get pwned by Whisenhunt in this game? FWP was just shut down/ Even 1st and goal from the 2, PIT doesn't get FWP in and ends up throwing an INT. Rotating QBs for AZ.. what else?

This was a strange game.

 

[smcindoe]

For years, we've been hearing about how going for it on fourth-and-short is usually the correct call. This seems to be the year that coachs are starting to dip a toe into that pond.

 

[Bayhawks]

4-1-PIT 29 (7:24) 7-B.Roethlisberger up the middle to PIT 31 for 2 yards (97-C.Pace). So they got the first down, but what in the hell? Are we playing Madden here? The coaching decisions from both teams were very strange.Did Tomlin get pwned by Whisenhunt in this game? FWP was just shut down/ Even 1st and goal from the 2, PIT doesn't get FWP in and ends up throwing an INT. Rotating QBs for AZ.. what else?This was a strange game.

I liked the call. It was actually about 4th and 2 inches, and Pittsburgh made the decision immediately, and lined up and snapped the ball before Arizona could make any personnel changes. They just quick snapped the ball, and Ben dove ahead for the 2 yards. If your 250 lb+ QB cannot get 2 inches when the defense isn't ready, then you shouldn't be playing the game.

 

[thayman]

4-1-PIT 29 (7:24) 7-B.Roethlisberger up the middle to PIT 31 for 2 yards (97-C.Pace). So they got the first down, but what in the hell? Are we playing Madden here? The coaching decisions from both teams were very strange.Did Tomlin get pwned by Whisenhunt in this game? FWP was just shut down/ Even 1st and goal from the 2, PIT doesn't get FWP in and ends up throwing an INT. Rotating QBs for AZ.. what else?This was a strange game.

I liked the call. It was actually about 4th and 2 inches, and Pittsburgh made the decision immediately, and lined up and snapped the ball before Arizona could make any personnel changes. They just quick snapped the ball, and Ben dove ahead for the 2 yards. If your 250 lb+ QB cannot get 2 inches when the defense isn't ready, then you shouldn't be playing the game.

I like the gutsy call to go for it. Getting that 1st down can completely demorilize the opposing defense.

 

[TheFanatic]

4-1-PIT 29 (7:24) 7-B.Roethlisberger up the middle to PIT 31 for 2 yards (97-C.Pace). So they got the first down, but what in the hell? Are we playing Madden here? The coaching decisions from both teams were very strange.Did Tomlin get pwned by Whisenhunt in this game? FWP was just shut down/ Even 1st and goal from the 2, PIT doesn't get FWP in and ends up throwing an INT. Rotating QBs for AZ.. what else?This was a strange game.

I liked the call. It was actually about 4th and 2 inches, and Pittsburgh made the decision immediately, and lined up and snapped the ball before Arizona could make any personnel changes. They just quick snapped the ball, and Ben dove ahead for the 2 yards. If your 250 lb+ QB cannot get 2 inches when the defense isn't ready, then you shouldn't be playing the game.

I like the gutsy call to go for it. Getting that 1st down can completely demorilize the opposing defense.

And think about this. Next time they have a 4th and short and they line up on the line of scrimmage the D isn't going to think they are just trying to get an off-sides. They have to take it seriously and then a hard count with a change of cadence could actually get them that first down when a lineman jumps....I like it. I wish we saw more of this in the league....

 

[Pound]

I liked the call. It was actually about 4th and 2 inches, and Pittsburgh made the decision immediatelythe game.

Ok sounds a little more credible. Still, if you are stopped there it's a gift-wrapped FG worst case. I actually agree that coaches should go for it more on 4th down then they have, but seems like if you have a good defense and a lead - why take the chance?Either way, Whisenhunt sure did shut down PIT's offense most of the game. Was he ticked off he didn't get the HC job there? hehe I dunno probably just that he was really familliar with the team he was going against.

 

[Phurfur]

And next time when they don't make it you will all be b$itching.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Why would you ever label that desperation? Confident is clearly the better descriptor.

 

[WhoDat]

Why would you ever label that desperation? Confident is clearly the better descriptor.

In the context of yesterday's game this is correct.

 

[simmonjm]

Dallas faced a similar situation against the Rams and opted to punt instead of going for it on 4 and inches and Dante Hall returned the punt for a TD (Rams only score of the game).

 

[Pound]

Well, confident if he thinks there is no way AZ can score on his defense, even if they give them the ball at the PIT 29.

Desperate if he knows the next time his team will score will be with 2 minutes in the game, down 21-7.

I guess with only a couple inches to gain a QB sneak from Roth has gotta be 95% success, so it's probably just that he wanted to keep the ball at little risk.

 

[Dexter Manley]

In this particular situation, going for it and punting were both +EV, but going for it was higher EV. The only time I recall this tactic failing was a Dal-Philly game years ago when Switzer went for it on 4th and less than 1 on their own 29 yard line, with like 2 minutes left in the game and a 4 point lead over the Eagles. Emmitt got stuffed, and the Eagles scored and won the game.

What drives me crazy is when it's 4th and 1 from the opponent's side of the field, and the coaches seemingly always elect to punt. Punting in these situations is almost always a horrendous decision. Actually, you should usually be going for it on 4th down if you're on your opponents side of the field, unless it's a long distance. There really need to be some sort of Moneyball like thing introduced to the nfl, where stat geeks are hired by teams to figure out the optimal decision with regards to punting and going for it on 4th down.