What is more exhilarating than second-guessing the decisions made by NFL head coaches? Absolutely nothing. So, let’s delve into this thrilling exercise every week, right here. Today’s focus: Is there ever a justifiable reason to not play for the win?
The Situation:
In Week 17, the Denver Broncos found themselves in a situation where a tie against the Cincinnati Bengals would secure them a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. On the surface, the decision seems straightforward – if the ultimate goal is a playoff berth, then do whatever it takes to achieve it, correct?
On the flip side, the mantra is clear: always play to win. Leave no room for doubt, give it your all on the field. This philosophy is ingrained in players and coaches from the moment they first don a helmet as youngsters, so why deviate from it now?
With a mere eight seconds left in regulation, Bo Nix connected with Marvin Mims on a remarkable fourth-down reception, narrowing the score to 24-23. Denver’s head coach, Sean Payton, admitted to contemplating going for the two-point conversion, a sentiment shared by others.
“I wanted to go for two,” remarked Broncos quarterback Bo Nix post-game. “But ultimately, that may not always be the most prudent decision. I don’t have the final say on our team because I tend to act on emotions and personal desires. They evaluated the situation, and in this instance, kicking seemed like the better choice.”
The game proceeded to overtime, and after over seven minutes of play, the possibility of a tie resurfaced. Following Cincinnati’s missed potential game-winning field goal, Denver regained possession with 2:43 remaining. Cincinnati utilized both of its overtime timeouts after Denver’s initial two plays, with an incomplete pass on third down swiftly returning the ball to Cincinnati, without even 20 seconds elapsing from the clock.
But what if Denver had managed to secure a first down on that crucial third down? This move could have drained the clock down to the two-minute warning, allowing the Broncos to potentially seal the tie and consequently a playoff berth by taking a knee from there.
The Outcome:
Payton disclosed that the notion of settling for a tie indeed crossed his mind. However, Denver could only muster a meager two yards on three plays and was forced to punt. Providing Joe Burrow another opportunity was risky, and it ultimately backfired.
Despite the defeat, Denver remains in a promising position with a 64.9% chance of clinching a playoff spot. A triumph – or even a tie! – against Kansas City in their upcoming home game will secure their playoff berth. Alternatively, certain peculiar scenarios could still see them through even with a loss.
In this hypothetical scenario, should Denver have aimed for a tie? The decision is yours to make.
