end of football game strategy.....

[s1uggo72]

I heard this discussion on NFL radio last night, but not all of it. Basically if you are in the same situation the Eagles were, instead of trying to defend the pass, just have the DB's bascially stand there so they dont get a penalty. Rush everybody else, hope for a bad throw (which they got). If they score a TD so what, you have time to come back and score one to tie and go to OT, same with the FG. But the point was, the D makes a call, that says make sure no penalities as that is the worse thing that can happen to you, just stand there, and make sure they throw it over you head (so they cant throw it short, get a first and fall down.)
thoughts?

 

[Woodpecker]

So give away a TD on 3rd and 8 from the 15 with 1:54 left?

 

[Ram20]

It's certainly not crazy to rethink end of game strategy in football, especially in the NFL. How many games end with "who has the ball last." How many games end with a field goal in the waning seconds? I guess it might be more of a macro issue, the defenses are really limited and they are almost forced by the rules to allow end of game drives and theatrics as to not commit penalties. In the last minutes of games it just seems like teams move the ball up and down the field with regularity. I think the kickers have really become spectacular too. More and more it seems no distance is too far. I'm sure the audience loves the late game scoring and field goals to clinch games, but I'm starting to find it formulaic. Narrowing the goalposts would help, teams would have to feel they needed to drive the ball deeper. Right now, teams get the ball at the 25, couple passes, boom-in field goal range. Maybe letting the CB's be a little more physical without the insufferable PI/Defensive holding calls? I rooted for the Chiefs, but hated that call, at that time, against Bradbury in the SB.

 

[s1uggo72]

So give away a TD on 3rd and 8 from the 15 with 1:54 left?

if they earn it sure, but why put yourself into a situation where you commit a penalty, the game is over? at least this way you have a chance!

 

[TheBigUglies]

Or go get a DC that will have a better game plan.

I don't know how I feel about having the DBs just stand there. I would have them make an attempt to make it look like their covering but send an all out blitz to put more pressure on the QB to make an errant throw. Kind of create a situation where the QB is not even going to have time to look down field to see who is open. I think this would be a better option then only rushing four and giving the QB a lot of time to see who can get open and also your putting more pressure on the DBs to have to cover longer. If you have 6 or 7 guys immediately in QB face then the QB ain't going to have time to see who is open and the DBs won't have to cover longer. Just my 2 cents but I believe you give the QB less time which in turn gives DBs less time they have to cover and make a hold or get a PI.

 

[Woodpecker]

if they earn it sure, but why put yourself into a situation where you commit a penalty, the game is over? at least this way you have a chance!

I think you can have a better chance by playing good defense but apparently I'm the only one who feels this way. If my team is the best in the NFC (and maybe the NFL), I make my opponent beat me. I think a better approach would be to not commit the penalty, cover the play, make their kicker who had missed earlier try a FG, and then see what my offense can do. After the penalty, I can see the strategy of giving up the TD but not before. But that's just me.

 

[s1uggo72]

I think you can have a better chance by playing good defense but apparently I'm the only one who feels this way. If my team is the best in the NFC (and maybe the NFL), I make my opponent beat me. I think a better approach would be to not commit the penalty, cover the play, make their kicker who had missed earlier try a FG, and then see what my offense can do. After the penalty, I can see the strategy of giving up the TD but not before. But that's just me.

I agree with you, it would be great to go play good D and stop them, but if you commit a penalty, then the game is over. its nice to say dont commit the penalty, but then you have to back off so you dont. I think it is an interesting thought, and like you, in the past I always wanted to fight until the last minute, maybe you get a TO or a sack, but the way the game is curretnly set up to favor the O, it is, imo something that needs studied.

 

[nittanyfan333]

I agree with you, it would be great to go play good D and stop them, but if you commit a penalty, then the game is over. its nice to say dont commit the penalty, but then you have to back off so you dont. I think it is an interesting thought, and like you, in the past I always wanted to fight until the last minute, maybe you get a TO or a sack, but the way the game is curretnly set up to favor the O, it is, imo something that needs studied.

My only thought is that you then have happen what McKinnon did and the dude catches or runs past the sticks then takes a knee. it's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation. it's hard to play "no penalties" and still defend the sticks. and if you back them off and they play loose coverage and you give up a first down, and the player takes a knee, you're still screwed. IMO, dance with who brung ya, and play the game. either way, you're gonna get second guessed if you lose

 

[CDLionFL]

On the play where the penalty was committed, you absolutely defend it like you normally do. If the penalty doesn't happen, worse case scenario is you have 1:40 left down 3 with a timeout in the pocket (first thing I said after the incompletion before seeing the flag was 'they get to keep their timeout'). But after the penalty was called, the Eagles weren't going to see the ball with any more than 20 seconds on the clock. I thought they did the right thing on the McKinnon run but I'd have picked him up and carried him into the endzone to ensure I got the ball back.

 

[s1uggo72]

On the play where the penalty was committed, you absolutely defend it like you normally do. If the penalty doesn't happen, worse case scenario is you have 1:40 left down 3 with a timeout in the pocket (first thing I said after the incompletion before seeing the flag was 'they get to keep their timeout'). But after the penalty was called, the Eagles weren't going to see the ball with any more than 20 seconds on the clock. I thought they did the right thing on the McKinnon run but I'd have picked him up and carried him into the endzone to ensure I got the ball back.

I cant wait to see that happen!!! some guy comes up from behind and drives them into the end zone. At that point we will have a 30 minute review to determine if a) he gave himself up and spot the ball there b) his forward progress was stopped so put the ball there!! But what an ending!!

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

Here's hoping CJF doesn't read this thread!

 

[PSUFTG]

I heard this discussion on NFL radio last night, but not all of it. Basically if you are in the same situation the Eagles were, instead of trying to defend the pass, just have the DB's bascially stand there so they dont get a penalty. Rush everybody else, hope for a bad throw (which they got). If they score a TD so what, you have time to come back and score one to tie and go to OT, same with the FG. But the point was, the D makes a call, that says make sure no penalities as that is the worse thing that can happen to you, just stand there, and make sure they throw it over you head (so they cant throw it short, get a first and fall down.)
thoughts?

That may be the dumbest "sports talk" thing I ever heard

 

[PSUFTG]

After the penalty, I can see the strategy of giving up the TD but not before. But that's just me.

That would be wise - and the Eagles tried - but KC wasn't silly enough to take that bait

 

[s1uggo72]

That may be the dumbest "sports talk" thing I ever heard

Well their sources within the NFL coaching community.

 

[Grant Green]

I heard this discussion on NFL radio last night, but not all of it. Basically if you are in the same situation the Eagles were, instead of trying to defend the pass, just have the DB's bascially stand there so they dont get a penalty. Rush everybody else, hope for a bad throw (which they got). If they score a TD so what, you have time to come back and score one to tie and go to OT, same with the FG. But the point was, the D makes a call, that says make sure no penalities as that is the worse thing that can happen to you, just stand there, and make sure they throw it over you head (so they cant throw it short, get a first and fall down.)
thoughts?

It's actually a pretty interesting idea. I would say that you should still play defense though, but I think it's pretty obvious that committing a penalty was worse than giving up a TD in that situation. Basically, the goal should have been to prevent a first down at all costs - including a TD. If aWR gets past you, give up the TD rather than hold and get a flag.

 

[Nitt1300]

 

[Woodpecker]

I suppose that's another way to look at it

 

[Bvillebaron]

On the play where the penalty was committed, you absolutely defend it like you normally do. If the penalty doesn't happen, worse case scenario is you have 1:40 left down 3 with a timeout in the pocket (first thing I said after the incompletion before seeing the flag was 'they get to keep their timeout'). But after the penalty was called, the Eagles weren't going to see the ball with any more than 20 seconds on the clock. I thought they did the right thing on the McKinnon run but I'd have picked him up and carried him into the endzone to ensure I got the ball back.

You would have picked McKinnon up and carried him into the end zone? Yeah sure.

 

[s1uggo72]

You would have picked McKinnon up and carried him into the end zone? Yeah sure.

it would be interesting to see what happens, its a good thought

 

[Grant Green]

You would have picked McKinnon up and carried him into the end zone? Yeah sure.

I've seen it attempted in college games.

 

[CDLionFL]

I've seen it attempted in college games.

Thanks for the backup because I've seen the same thing.