(December 11, 2015 at 12:44 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: I didn't see the play, but I'm assuming there's pretty much time to just run the one play.

You do that when the playcaller deems that your team's chances are better for scoring and winning the game *now* rather than in overtime, or you have zero confidence in your kicker.

Vast majority of the time you kick the FG, but there are edge cases where you don't.

The clock was stopped at 13 seconds, and they had no timeouts, on the 31 yard line, so whatever happens they had to either throw an incomplete pass, or get the catch to a receiver who can then either easily score a touchdown or get out of bounds in time to stop the clock for the field goal attempt.

I dunno, it just seemed way too risky to me when I was watching the game, and then low and behold Bridgewater holds onto the ball for too long and gets sacked, which would have been enough to doom the Vikings, but he also fumbles the ball and the Cardinals recover.

Play is here: http://uproxx.com/sports/2015/12/teddy-b...cardinals/

(December 11, 2015 at 12:59 am)Tiberius Wrote:

(December 11, 2015 at 12:44 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: I didn't see the play, but I'm assuming there's pretty much time to just run the one play.

You do that when the playcaller deems that your team's chances are better for scoring and winning the game *now* rather than in overtime, or you have zero confidence in your kicker.

Vast majority of the time you kick the FG, but there are edge cases where you don't.

The clock was stopped at 13 seconds, and they had no timeouts, on the 31 yard line, so whatever happens they had to either throw an incomplete pass, or get the catch to a receiver who can then either easily score a touchdown or get out of bounds in time to stop the clock for the field goal attempt.

I dunno, it just seemed way too risky to me when I was watching the game, and then low and behold Bridgewater holds onto the ball for too long and gets sacked, which would have been enough to doom the Vikings, but he also fumbles the ball and the Cardinals recover.

Play is here: http://uproxx.com/sports/2015/12/teddy-b...cardinals/

Sounds like the coach had more confidence in his O-line and quarterback than his kicker.

From the 31, that's a 48 yard attempt. Blair Walsh is their placekicker? His stats tell me he has accuracy problems. He's about 80% overall, and a 48 yard kick is no gimme. Walsh has missed three attempts inside of 50 yards. Maybe he makes it, maybe he doesn't.

13 seconds is enough time for a pass to the sideline or end zone, with time for another play.

One chance to *maybe* tie the game, or two chances to use your offense to win it - as long as nothing disastrous happens (which it did).

This is kind of a damned if you, damned if you don't situation whenever you get it wrong. It's also one of those tough choices that have to be considered when you don't have confidence in your kicker.

If anyone wants to talk about lonely kickers in the locker room, the youngens wont remember a certain Superbowl reapeating team as part of a 4 streak loss, of which one was lost by 3. OOOOOOPS.

Andy Dalton is out with an injured finger thumb. Not good for the Bengals.

Good for me! Tyler Eifert out as well. Moar! (not happy they're injured, happy they're out - neither of these injuries is career threatening.)

Same, I don't like seeing players injured, but if the Steelers keep their act together, the Patriots will have an easier time getting the 1st / 2nd AFC seed.

I want the playoff drought to continue. Also, if AJ McCarron sucks it up enough, the Steelers could win the division. Long shot, but possible. Get past this game and next week at home vs Denver, and it's Cleveland and Baltimore to finish.

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Will Gay with the pick 6!

Ties him with Rod Woodson for most in team history...

I too want the Steelers to win against Denver. :-P

(December 13, 2015 at 4:08 pm)Tiberius Wrote: I too want the Steelers to win against Denver. :-P

You're team needing a little help now?!?