Quote:Going for it successfully didn't mean winning the game though, it only meant a fresh set of downs, still with 70 yards to go.

Going for it unsuccessfully meant game over.

 

That's the time/field position/timeouts variable.  Two minutes on the clock with no timeouts, you have to go for it regardless of position.  5 minutes, you punt and let your defense try to make a stop.  5 minutes from their 25, sure, you go for it because a punt probably wont help you.

 

I like Gus, but I think it was a terrible coaching call.

 

You have to take risks if you want to win.  At that point a touchdown would have only tied the game.  Punt it, and they run down the clock, and maybe get a field goal (or even a TD).  They take 4:00+ off the clock, and get a field goal, suddenly you have 2:00 to get two scores.  That means more than likely making an onside kick.  (FTR Even from their field position, they took 4:00 off the clock, so it's not unreasonable to suppose with worse field position they take off 4:30 and get that field goal.  At which point you're left with 1:30 to get two scores)

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