chaccof Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 Conventional wisdom says you take the points that early in the game....but I really like the confidence in his team that the coach showed by going for it. Not sure why the ran the same play three times in a row - that struck me as more of an issue than the decision to go for the TD. It did seem to me that the Bills went into a bit of a funk after that play until well into the 4th quarter. But I didn't see the game, only listened on the radio so may have added to my impression.
The Wiz Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 We didn't get points on that drive but everyone needs to remember that the Bengals missed a 34 yard FG early in the 3rd quarter. If they had made that it still would have gone to OT if they kicked a FG instead of going for it.
chris heff Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 I think it is impossible to know whether that series dictated the out come. The formation and play calling were certainly suspect. All four plays out of the heavy formation, same play three times and then a bootleg/pass option with personel that rarely or never touch the ball.
papazoid Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 zero push from the offensive line on all four plays.
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 I think failing to score a TD was less significant than giving up the 99-yard TD drive right after that. You miss on a TD, and the expectation is that your defense can at least get you good field position.
tennesseeboy Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 On the one? Going for it is a gutsy call and if he made it we'd be all happy about it. Going for three is three sure points. Six of one and half a dozen of the other in my book. I'm comfortable with either call. If he were on the five? fg...if he were on the one inch line? run it in.
machine gun kelly Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 I wanted to take the points especially considering the terrible first 3 plays. We were not blowing their D line off the ball either. We were not in desperate mode at that time. Against a good D, take the points. I am not sure it would have changed the final outcome as game strategy from the Bengals may have changed. Also, we are not a high powered Denver offense to overcome mistakes/missed chances. The predictable play calling was the problem on the first three approaches. I would have taken the three points and said so in the bar I was watching (I don't live in Buffalo anymore), because we have not been efficient on offense. Just look at the stats prior to the Bengals game. 3rd in rushing, 1st in interceptions, 2nd in tackles, 3rd in sacks, but low in offense overall. We're not scoring, and when you can tie a game, as a previous coach, you take it. If we can't make it in 3 downs, then we're not going to make it on a 4th. It's sad a really improved defense if they had a complimentary offense would be the headlines on ESPN. If this defense could get off the field and just had a top12-14 offense in scoring, we'd be 4-2 to 5-1. UGGHH!!!!!
RealityCheck Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 Going for it on 4th and 1 should be attempted any time you are inside your opponents 10. Just my opinion and nothing will change my mind on that one. It's a mindset that I believe leads a lot more good than bad. Let's keep in mind that the real pressure in those situations falls upon your opponent's defense if you are a good offensive play caller.
CodeMonkey Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 On the one? Going for it is a gutsy call and if he made it we'd be all happy about it. Going for three is three sure points. Six of one and half a dozen of the other in my book. I'm comfortable with either call. If he were on the five? fg...if he were on the one inch line? run it in. Except that the "gutsy" play that was called put the TE into the end zone on the same side of the field that the QB was rolling out. Whats wrong with that you say? Well generally nothing. But in this case the TE they put into the pattern was not a TE, but a backup offensive lineman. You have to give yourself at least a high chance of success if you are going to make the "gutsy" call.
JM57 Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 I think failing to score a TD was less significant than giving up the 99-yard TD drive right after that. You miss on a TD, and the expectation is that your defense can at least get you good field position. Exactly.
Gray Beard Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 They had multiple attempts to pound it in and failed. At that point, kick the figgie and take the (almost) sure thing. If they had been moving the ball and had just barely missed it that would have been a different story. But with multiple failed attempts already, they should have gotten the hint.
Webster Guy Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 I think Choice is the best goal line back. He seems to be able to get lower than spiller & Jackson & can drive . oh man i think FJax is top 5 in the league at the goal line. finds the hole, moves the pile, never stops the legs churning. Choice runs hard and very low I agree, but don't think he's in Freddy's league
run dat back Posted October 14, 2013 Posted October 14, 2013 Any time you have guaranteed points and are behind early, take the points. I know even a chip shot is not guaranteed, but it's as good as.
3rdand12 Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 The O line did not get the push they are EXPECTED to. And thats a damn shame. Where the hell is Joe D' ? j.k. we should have won that joust. though
Acantha Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 Beginning of the second quarter, down by 3, started with 1st and goal from the 2 and got stuffed 3 times (I agree, bad play calling), you take the points every time. I like the confident attitude, but there's no doubt it was the wrong call. If it had worked it would have been great, but it still would have been the wrong call. And it has nothing to do with the outcome of the game, just the right call for the coach to make at the time.
Billsfan369 Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 you get it your a hero you don't an your stupid. I didnt like it so early in the game. But it by no means costs us the game. We just did not play well enough to win. That being said Go Buffalo!!!!!
DC Greg Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 Just wish Hackett would have tried to spread it out on those goal line runs. Versus a front like Cincinnati's, I thought maybe going four wides and getting a few bodies out of the box gives our backs a better chance to find that crease. Can't come away from that situation with no points.
BearNorth Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 What ever happened to the great goal line play we used to run with Butch Rolle. The guy was unstoppable.
Wazzu Bill Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 How do you guys think of a play like this: _ and goal at the 1, line up like it's gonna be a read option with Freddy next to Thad. Thad starts pretending to read the defense Manning style, walking all over the place yelling at the O line random calls. Thad walks over next to the left tackle and sneakily acts as a tight end. Silent direct snap to Freddy and he bursts through into the end zone. Game. Set. Match.
Nathan Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 The error lies not in going for it but rather the timing. The Bills had just rolled down the field at the end of the first and had 22 seconds left on the clock after - I think - first down. The Cinci line was gassed and that was the time to punch it in - instead we let the clock run ou on the quarter, gave Cinci - what 3-4 minutes to get their wind - and we all know what happened. Nice observation. I also wondered about that as the quarter ended, but I figured the Bills scoring was a gimme from the 1 after how they had been moving the Ball. I'm noticing more lately that football is a game of momentum. The wave was riding our way as we gassed the Bengals defense. Then, quarter ends, they regroup and we get stuffed. The momentum completely swinga back the opposite way. They drive 99 yards for a TD. Ballgame.
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