(02-12-2024, 09:01 AM)Cleatwood Wrote:

(02-12-2024, 08:59 AM)Jaguarmeister Wrote: I have less of a problem with that.  Makes total sense to get it first from the standpoint of if both teams get FGs or TDs on their OT possession, you’d get the ball first in sudden death.

If you go second, you know exactly what you need in order to win the game.

Chiefs actually game planned for this. If the 49ers scored a TD, Chiefs were going for 2 if they scored a TD.

Always better to go second if you know for a fact you’re getting the ball no matter what.

Yes in that scenario that would have been the better choice, but there is more than one scenario.  What if they trade field goals or both defenses force punts on the first two drives?  You’d want the ball in sudden death and going first ensures you do in those scenarios.

Thats why I have less of a problem with that decision because at the time they didn’t know they’d be settling for a FG and their defense would disappear.  I mean, it had been a defensive battle for most of the game.

However, settling for a FG did seem like they were in the position of now hoping for sudden death as I had no doubt Mahomes would be able to lead a FG drive in 4 down territory from the 25. There are scenarios where you kick the FG and play defense as they did, like if you find yourself in 4th and long, though, I think it was a critical mistake not to instead go for it on 4th and 4 from the 9 as I mentioned previously.  I think being inside the 10 in a manageable distance for a 1st down is reason enough to go for it there because it really isn’t the end of the world if you don’t convert.  I know Mahomes is Mahomes, but even his probability of leading a scoring drive goes down the longer the field is for him. Also, even if going 2nd allows you to make the go for 2 and the win decision, it’s still a lower probability situation to be in to not only drive for a TD and also convert the 2 than it is to drive for a TD to tie.

I have no problem with your logic at all, I just have no problem with taking the ball first either especially in what had been a defensive battle to that point.  It’s not a cut and dry decision any more in my opinion with the rules change and so I don’t blame Shanahan there.  I do think he needed a little Dan Campbell angel/devil on his shoulder screaming to go for it on 4th and 4 from the 9 though.

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