4th and 1... Where is the Media backlash?

[wolfkaosaun]

(10-15-2018, 06:35 PM)fredtoast Wrote:
The Eagles would not go for it in the second half of a close game.

Eagles went for it on fourth down 29 times last year, but only 2 times in the second half when there was less than a td difference, and one of those times was in the Super Bowl against the Patriots when they were trailing in the fourth quarter and had to.

There was 5:39 left in the game. On their own side of the field. With all 3 timeouts. 1 point game.

They didn't "have" to go for it on 4th down there. Especially on their own side of the field.
But Pederson did.
Why?
Because championship coaches don't play scared.


You literally disproved your point in the next sentence.
And ignored the comments about Tomlin and Belichek going for it on 4th downs often as well.

Do you think Marvin would go for it on that 4th down, or punt it?
That's the real question you have to ask there.
And we already know that answer. Because time and time again, Marvin punts it. We've seen it in close games. Seen it in early games.

The Bengals have punted the ball 4 times in the opponents territory this year. FOUR.
At the Ravens 37 yard line, Falcons 39 yard line, Steelers 40, Steelers 49.
Six times if you include being at the 50.
And yeah, some are understandable. Such as the 4th and 18 with the Falcons.
But, again, championship teams don't play scared.
In 2017, the Eagles went for it on 4th and 5+ eight different times.

And while yes, the Eagles didn't make all those, Pederson's willingness to go for it on 4th down and believe in his team proved to work out in the end. Setting the record for going for it on 4th down more than any team before.
And it won the Eagles a Super Bowl.

Dating back to 2016, the Bengals have attempted 23 total 4th downs.
No other team in the NFL has attempted less.

When you've only beaten a division team 8 times in your 16th season, you should probably change up your coaching strategy.
I mean, the Bills have a better win percentage against the Patriots than the Bengals against the Steelers in this decade.