What’s more fun than having doubts from NFL coaches? Nothing, that’s what. So let’s do it here every week. This week we had a plethora of courageous coaching decisions, from Shane Steichen’s successful go-for-two gamble with twelve seconds left in the Colts’ win over the Patriots to Raheem Morris’ decision to stick with a clearly floundering Kirk Cousins in the Atlanta loss. to the Los Angeles Chargers.
But let’s take a look from the sidelines at a coaching decision that could have been disastrous…
The scenario
With 14:09 left in the game, the Chargers led the Falcons 17-13, but faced a fourth-and-4 on their own 39-yard line. Los Angeles had struggled to move the ball all game; their points came on three field goals and a pick-six plus a two-point conversion. What to do?
The case for punting
The Chargers were up by four points and Los Angeles’ defense had managed to hold Atlanta to two field goals in the second half. And even though Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo had missed a field goal earlier in the game, he had made his last two and the ball was already within his reach. Why give Atlanta the ball within scoring range already?
The Argument for Faking the Punt
Hey, what’s life without a little risk? You might see the defense napping! Furthermore, with fourteen minutes to play, there was plenty of time to recover from even the most catastrophic mistakes. So why don’t we roll the dice?
The result
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh decided to go with the fake punt and he got about 75 percent of the yards he needed…
“We didn’t execute it exactly the way we practiced it and just came up short,” Harbaugh said afterward, adding, “The defense overcame a coaching decision of mine that I wish I had back.”
The outcome
Harbaugh was indeed saved by his defense … and by the erratic arm of Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins. Over the course of ten plays after the fake punt failed, Atlanta methodically marched to the Los Angeles 13… where Cousins threw an incredibly ugly interception in the end zone.
And that wouldn’t even be Cousins’ last interception of the day! Neither team would score again and the score of 17-13 held. Harbaugh escaped with the win, but against a more accurate team, the missed fake punt could have been a devastating mistake.
So. Fourth quarter, up four. Are you a gambler or a faker? Your call.
