Why didn't Denver let Elam kick a 2nd FG last night? (1 Viewer)

[Marek]

As an Elam owner, I was pumped up. So Denver has a 10-0 lead, NE has looked pretty sluggish all night (meaning there's no huge need to be ultra conservative or not trust their D), and Denver on 4th down at the 32 with a kicker who is tied for the longest FG in NFL history.

And they elect to pooch it instead?!?!

I'm thinking Elam might not be too good of a choice after all if that is going to be the norm. And considering the situation they were in (i.e. very little risk) and they decided not to trust the FG unit. Or maybe they will wise up after that (especially considering how crappy of a punt it was)? He was Probable on the injury list two weeks ago, but no injury worries to speak of this week.

But maybe I'm missing a very important detail somewhere

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

NE's turf is horrendous, and Denver's D was controlling the game. Why risk something going wrong and letting the Pats back in the game? Versus a lesser opponent and on a decent field, the result might have been different, but I think Denver did the right thing. I would not downgrade Elam based on that decision.

 

[Marek]

Denver's D was controlling the game. Why risk something going wrong and letting the Pats back in the game?

You answered your own question, IMO. If your D is effectively controlling the game, why wouldn't you trust them? Did their D really need that extra 15 yards from the punt?

 

[Futility]

Denver's D was controlling the game. Why risk something going wrong and letting the Pats back in the game?

You answered your own question, IMO. If your D is effectively controlling the game, why wouldn't you trust them?

Rhetorical question, guy. I'm not sure if you're getting it.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

I think they should have gone for the first down. The middle of the field was in awful shape for a September game, and they didn't stand to gain much from the punt unless it was perfectly placed. I don't think the decision to punt is an indictment against Elam, though, given the field conditions. That field was an embarassment to the Patriot organization.

 

[Marek]

Rhetorical question, guy. I'm not sure if you're getting it.

Rhetorical questions generally involve the implied answer being correct, just FYI.If the field conditions were horrid, then I guess that would make sense.

 

[PatsWillWin]

because shanahanagans hates FF players.

EDIT: to correctly spell shanahananananangans.

 

[Lauryn]

I think they should have gone for the first down. The middle of the field was in awful shape for a September game, and they didn't stand to gain much from the punt unless it was perfectly placed. I don't think the decision to punt is an indictment against Elam, though, given the field conditions. That field was an embarassment to the Patriot organization.

maybe they can use the money they saved by dealing branch to fix it...