Anyone else shocked by the really horrendous offensive play calling for Pittsburgh in the final four minutes? The situation was that Pit had the ball with about 4 minutes to play, 1st down around the Balt 30 yard line and up by 4 points. I expected nothing but runs. I mean, I'm not a football coach but even I know you want to run the clock down and force the defense to burn their time outs. Also, in that situation, every yard gained gets that much closer to the potential FG which puts them up by 7. Mendenhall was averaging about 4 yards per carry. There's also a decent chance they can pick up a first down or at least get them close enough to kick that FG I mentioned, but as mentioned the very least benefit is killing the clock and taking away Balt time outs! Why the heck would you call a pass play on 1st down? (incomplete pass stopping the clock - a gift for Baltimore!) That just shows me whoever was calling the game is completely inept and oblivious regarding strategy to put a game away. I was completely blown away on that 1st down call.... seriously, my jaw dropped open and I just couldn't believe my eyes. Then, they correctly call a run play on 2nd down gaining 1 yard. On third down, THEY CALLED ANOTHER PASS PLAY! (incomplete again) stopping the clock yet again. When you consider how many seconds were on the clock when Balt scored the winning TD, it just really drives home my point that those two stupid pass plays should have been run plays and I sincerely believe they could have run at least a minute more off the clock, forced Balt to burn time outs, and potentially pick up 1 more 1st down which would have finished the game with Pit winning by 4. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that some schmuck is getting paid tons of money to call plays, the plays that gifted Balt with two clock stoppages late in the game when time was of the essence, and that whoever that play caller was obviously does not understand how you close out a game!
I'm happy for Balt, but I find it shocking that a supposedly good team has coaching or play calling which caused them to lose.....inexcusable IMO! A really strong effort by Pit flushed down the toilet by really bad coaching/play calling at the end of the game...... I just don't get it...am I missing something here? What do you guys think?
Anyone else shocked by the really horrendous offensive play calling for Pittsburgh in the final four minutes? The situation was that Pit had the ball with about 4 minutes to play, 1st down around the Balt 30 yard line and up by 4 points. I expected nothing but runs. I mean, I'm not a football coach but even I know you want to run the clock down and force the defense to burn their time outs. Also, in that situation, every yard gained gets that much closer to the potential FG which puts them up by 7. Mendenhall was averaging about 4 yards per carry. There's also a decent chance they can pick up a first down or at least get them close enough to kick that FG I mentioned, but as mentioned the very least benefit is killing the clock and taking away Balt time outs! Why the heck would you call a pass play on 1st down? (incomplete pass stopping the clock - a gift for Baltimore!) That just shows me whoever was calling the game is completely inept and oblivious regarding strategy to put a game away. I was completely blown away on that 1st down call.... seriously, my jaw dropped open and I just couldn't believe my eyes. Then, they correctly call a run play on 2nd down gaining 1 yard. On third down, THEY CALLED ANOTHER PASS PLAY! (incomplete again) stopping the clock yet again. When you consider how many seconds were on the clock when Balt scored the winning TD, it just really drives home my point that those two stupid pass plays should have been run plays and I sincerely believe they could have run at least a minute more off the clock, forced Balt to burn time outs, and potentially pick up 1 more 1st down which would have finished the game with Pit winning by 4. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that some schmuck is getting paid tons of money to call plays, the plays that gifted Balt with two clock stoppages late in the game when time was of the essence, and that whoever that play caller was obviously does not understand how you close out a game!
I'm happy for Balt, but I find it shocking that a supposedly good team has coaching or play calling which caused them to lose.....inexcusable IMO! A really strong effort by Pit flushed down the toilet by really bad coaching/play calling at the end of the game...... I just don't get it...am I missing something here? What do you guys think?
Anyone else shocked by the really horrendous offensive play calling for Pittsburgh in the final four minutes? The situation was that Pit had the ball with about 4 minutes to play, 1st down around the Balt 30 yard line and up by 4 points. I expected nothing but runs. I mean, I'm not a football coach but even I know you want to run the clock down and force the defense to burn their time outs. Also, in that situation, every yard gained gets that much closer to the potential FG which puts them up by 7. Mendenhall was averaging about 4 yards per carry. There's also a decent chance they can pick up a first down or at least get them close enough to kick that FG I mentioned, but as mentioned the very least benefit is killing the clock and taking away Balt time outs! Why the heck would you call a pass play on 1st down? (incomplete pass stopping the clock - a gift for Baltimore!) That just shows me whoever was calling the game is completely inept and oblivious regarding strategy to put a game away. I was completely blown away on that 1st down call.... seriously, my jaw dropped open and I just couldn't believe my eyes. Then, they correctly call a run play on 2nd down gaining 1 yard. On third down, THEY CALLED ANOTHER PASS PLAY! (incomplete again) stopping the clock yet again. When you consider how many seconds were on the clock when Balt scored the winning TD, it just really drives home my point that those two stupid pass plays should have been run plays and I sincerely believe they could have run at least a minute more off the clock, forced Balt to burn time outs, and potentially pick up 1 more 1st down which would have finished the game with Pit winning by 4. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that some schmuck is getting paid tons of money to call plays, the plays that gifted Balt with two clock stoppages late in the game when time was of the essence, and that whoever that play caller was obviously does not understand how you close out a game!
I'm happy for Balt, but I find it shocking that a supposedly good team has coaching or play calling which caused them to lose.....inexcusable IMO! A really strong effort by Pit flushed down the toilet by really bad coaching/play calling at the end of the game...... I just don't get it...am I missing something here? What do you guys think?
because its all an act.......
dont u watch sunday night and monday night football? before the 2nd half start thy put it up..act 2......
Anyone else shocked by the really horrendous offensive play calling for Pittsburgh in the final four minutes? The situation was that Pit had the ball with about 4 minutes to play, 1st down around the Balt 30 yard line and up by 4 points. I expected nothing but runs. I mean, I'm not a football coach but even I know you want to run the clock down and force the defense to burn their time outs. Also, in that situation, every yard gained gets that much closer to the potential FG which puts them up by 7. Mendenhall was averaging about 4 yards per carry. There's also a decent chance they can pick up a first down or at least get them close enough to kick that FG I mentioned, but as mentioned the very least benefit is killing the clock and taking away Balt time outs! Why the heck would you call a pass play on 1st down? (incomplete pass stopping the clock - a gift for Baltimore!) That just shows me whoever was calling the game is completely inept and oblivious regarding strategy to put a game away. I was completely blown away on that 1st down call.... seriously, my jaw dropped open and I just couldn't believe my eyes. Then, they correctly call a run play on 2nd down gaining 1 yard. On third down, THEY CALLED ANOTHER PASS PLAY! (incomplete again) stopping the clock yet again. When you consider how many seconds were on the clock when Balt scored the winning TD, it just really drives home my point that those two stupid pass plays should have been run plays and I sincerely believe they could have run at least a minute more off the clock, forced Balt to burn time outs, and potentially pick up 1 more 1st down which would have finished the game with Pit winning by 4. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that some schmuck is getting paid tons of money to call plays, the plays that gifted Balt with two clock stoppages late in the game when time was of the essence, and that whoever that play caller was obviously does not understand how you close out a game!
I'm happy for Balt, but I find it shocking that a supposedly good team has coaching or play calling which caused them to lose.....inexcusable IMO! A really strong effort by Pit flushed down the toilet by really bad coaching/play calling at the end of the game...... I just don't get it...am I missing something here? What do you guys think?
because its all an act.......
dont u watch sunday night and monday night football? before the 2nd half start thy put it up..act 2......
Did you watch the Rams game? The HC for the Rams ought to be shot & I could care less about the Rams yesterday. The NFL is a joke & its getting worse & the only thing you can do is hope to be on the side that covers the spread.
Did you watch the Rams game? The HC for the Rams ought to be shot & I could care less about the Rams yesterday. The NFL is a joke & its getting worse & the only thing you can do is hope to be on the side that covers the spread.
our defense looked like swiss cheese!!! the offense drove the ball and pinned the ravens inside the 10 with under 2 to play... the ravens were 66% on third downs. Thats a joke for our defense. an absolute joke...
The offense scored twice to bring them back... dont blame play calling... this one was on the defense.
p.s. play calling didnt drop that first and 10 pass to david johnson... that was just as good as a run if he catches that pass... joke.
our defense looked like swiss cheese!!! the offense drove the ball and pinned the ravens inside the 10 with under 2 to play... the ravens were 66% on third downs. Thats a joke for our defense. an absolute joke...
The offense scored twice to bring them back... dont blame play calling... this one was on the defense.
p.s. play calling didnt drop that first and 10 pass to david johnson... that was just as good as a run if he catches that pass... joke.
Play calling is not a big problem. If you watched the game, you can see that the bigger problem is that they can't defense on 3rd down. Too many 3rd down converted by Balty that killed them. They made Flacco look like Rogers out there.
Play calling is not a big problem. If you watched the game, you can see that the bigger problem is that they can't defense on 3rd down. Too many 3rd down converted by Balty that killed them. They made Flacco look like Rogers out there.
Stop crying ravens played well enough to win by 2 TDs and opening play of game refs robbed a 80yd TD run by rice.
Hey Wakko Get off your homer soapbox long enough to be objective. I'm not crying about Pit losing. I've been a game-ster for nearly 50 years now. I started playing chess when I was 7 years old. I love Poker, backgammon, card games, and of course Chess. It's all about strategy and I admire and respect good strategy in all sorts of games including football. Sure, football is a game of skill but strategy is an important part. I find it shocking to see a game where strategy is so important; men getting paid big bucks to apply strategy to the game, and then just so blatantly get it completely wrong! I mean, are you a football fan or just some ignorant fanatic happy to see his team win? Hey, I'm happy for you your team won, but that's not what I'm talking about, OK? FOOTBALL STRATEGY 101
Stop crying ravens played well enough to win by 2 TDs and opening play of game refs robbed a 80yd TD run by rice.
Hey Wakko Get off your homer soapbox long enough to be objective. I'm not crying about Pit losing. I've been a game-ster for nearly 50 years now. I started playing chess when I was 7 years old. I love Poker, backgammon, card games, and of course Chess. It's all about strategy and I admire and respect good strategy in all sorts of games including football. Sure, football is a game of skill but strategy is an important part. I find it shocking to see a game where strategy is so important; men getting paid big bucks to apply strategy to the game, and then just so blatantly get it completely wrong! I mean, are you a football fan or just some ignorant fanatic happy to see his team win? Hey, I'm happy for you your team won, but that's not what I'm talking about, OK? FOOTBALL STRATEGY 101
Pittsburgh was still far out of field goal range when they threw on first down. The sequence that you refer to ultimately got them a first down.
Look at the play sequence again and tell me what play you object to. I suppose you could say the 1st and 10 throw was bad, but running there would almost certainly not work since the Ravens were expecting it. Running would have depleted the timeouts but it would have given the Ravens the ball back with 4:00 left down 4.
The Steelers needed first downs. Throwing gave them the best opportunity to get them. I actually think Tomlin did a great job giving his players the best opportunity to win. I hate it when coaches call the obvious 3 runs and a punt when the other team still has plenty of time to win the game. Look back and see how often its successful vs how often throwing for the first down that ices the game works.
Pittsburgh was still far out of field goal range when they threw on first down. The sequence that you refer to ultimately got them a first down.
Look at the play sequence again and tell me what play you object to. I suppose you could say the 1st and 10 throw was bad, but running there would almost certainly not work since the Ravens were expecting it. Running would have depleted the timeouts but it would have given the Ravens the ball back with 4:00 left down 4.
The Steelers needed first downs. Throwing gave them the best opportunity to get them. I actually think Tomlin did a great job giving his players the best opportunity to win. I hate it when coaches call the obvious 3 runs and a punt when the other team still has plenty of time to win the game. Look back and see how often its successful vs how often throwing for the first down that ices the game works.
our defense looked like swiss cheese!!! the offense drove the ball and pinned the ravens inside the 10 with under 2 to play... the ravens were 66% on third downs. Thats a joke for our defense. an absolute joke...
The offense scored twice to bring them back... dont blame play calling... this one was on the defense.
p.s. play calling didnt drop that first and 10 pass to david johnson... that was just as good as a run if he catches that pass... joke.
Yes Sir You are completely correct about the Pit defense. However, that's just all the more reason not to give Balt another chance when you essentially have the game sewn up. You run the ball, kill the clock, burn the time outs. And no, a passing play is not as good as a run. Incomplete passes are too common. Even if Big Ben is completing for 70% (he wasn't), you are taking a 30% chance for an incomplete pass and a clock stoppage when you absolutely want to be running the ball and keep that clock rolling. Really? Gonna risk an INT in that situation as well? No, I'm really sure that end of game play calling by the Pit "brain trust" cost them that game......
our defense looked like swiss cheese!!! the offense drove the ball and pinned the ravens inside the 10 with under 2 to play... the ravens were 66% on third downs. Thats a joke for our defense. an absolute joke...
The offense scored twice to bring them back... dont blame play calling... this one was on the defense.
p.s. play calling didnt drop that first and 10 pass to david johnson... that was just as good as a run if he catches that pass... joke.
Yes Sir You are completely correct about the Pit defense. However, that's just all the more reason not to give Balt another chance when you essentially have the game sewn up. You run the ball, kill the clock, burn the time outs. And no, a passing play is not as good as a run. Incomplete passes are too common. Even if Big Ben is completing for 70% (he wasn't), you are taking a 30% chance for an incomplete pass and a clock stoppage when you absolutely want to be running the ball and keep that clock rolling. Really? Gonna risk an INT in that situation as well? No, I'm really sure that end of game play calling by the Pit "brain trust" cost them that game......
Yes Sir You are completely correct about the Pit defense. However, that's just all the more reason not to give Balt another chance when you essentially have the game sewn up.
You contradict yourself. You want to advocate giving the ball back to Baltimore, but you also say the game was essentially sewn up.
Running was highly unlikely to work in that situation. If you look at the 2 runs they did call, they went for 1 and -3 yards. Baltimore was playing the run, which meant passing was more likely than usual to work and running less likely than usual to work.
Running would have depleted the timeouts but it would have almost certainly given the ball back to the Ravens.
My point is that having a realistic opportunity at first downs was more important than depleting the timeouts at that place in the game.
Yes Sir You are completely correct about the Pit defense. However, that's just all the more reason not to give Balt another chance when you essentially have the game sewn up.
You contradict yourself. You want to advocate giving the ball back to Baltimore, but you also say the game was essentially sewn up.
Running was highly unlikely to work in that situation. If you look at the 2 runs they did call, they went for 1 and -3 yards. Baltimore was playing the run, which meant passing was more likely than usual to work and running less likely than usual to work.
Running would have depleted the timeouts but it would have almost certainly given the ball back to the Ravens.
My point is that having a realistic opportunity at first downs was more important than depleting the timeouts at that place in the game.
The delayed of game penalty was BAD...Unacceptable !!!...They were about to try a 48 yrds FG...Not automatic but at least have a chance to go up by 7....
The delayed of game penalty was BAD...Unacceptable !!!...They were about to try a 48 yrds FG...Not automatic but at least have a chance to go up by 7....
The delayed of game penalty was BAD...Unacceptable !!!...They were about to try a 48 yrds FG...Not automatic but at least have a chance to go up by 7....
totally, especially with 2 time outs in your pocket. The 3rd down pass I don't have a problem with, but where he was going with it. He threw it to the sideline and it wasn't going to be a 1st down and he was going to run out of bounds, thus killing the clock. What about a slant to Cotchery? He was killing the Ravens all night on that play.
The delayed of game penalty was BAD...Unacceptable !!!...They were about to try a 48 yrds FG...Not automatic but at least have a chance to go up by 7....
totally, especially with 2 time outs in your pocket. The 3rd down pass I don't have a problem with, but where he was going with it. He threw it to the sideline and it wasn't going to be a 1st down and he was going to run out of bounds, thus killing the clock. What about a slant to Cotchery? He was killing the Ravens all night on that play.
The reality of it is, the loss was the result of piss poor efforts by committee. The defense allowing all those 3rd down conversions resulted in the Ravens marching up and down the field all night long, which led to a tired Steelers' defense. Clock management was bush league, the delay of penalty to take them out of field-goal range was inexcusable, allowing Flacco to move the ball 92 yards in the final minutes for a TD was just laughable...all of the above and more came together in the perfect storm that was a Steelers' loss. All you can do is hope you are on the right side.
The reality of it is, the loss was the result of piss poor efforts by committee. The defense allowing all those 3rd down conversions resulted in the Ravens marching up and down the field all night long, which led to a tired Steelers' defense. Clock management was bush league, the delay of penalty to take them out of field-goal range was inexcusable, allowing Flacco to move the ball 92 yards in the final minutes for a TD was just laughable...all of the above and more came together in the perfect storm that was a Steelers' loss. All you can do is hope you are on the right side.
steelers lost cuz they got away from the run which is steelers football. why and the fuck they let that dumb rapist try win for them in the air?????? if steelers want to get in the playoffs they need to get back to the run and stop teams on 3 rd down... thats what cost them aswell... ravens completed 14 3rd down conversions....
steelers lost cuz they got away from the run which is steelers football. why and the fuck they let that dumb rapist try win for them in the air?????? if steelers want to get in the playoffs they need to get back to the run and stop teams on 3 rd down... thats what cost them aswell... ravens completed 14 3rd down conversions....
How about the defensive plays by the Steelers playing bump and run in the final drive! They gave Baltinmore the opportunity to get the deep ball and it burned them.
How about the defensive plays by the Steelers playing bump and run in the final drive! They gave Baltinmore the opportunity to get the deep ball and it burned them.
The delayed of game penalty was BAD...Unacceptable !!!...They were about to try a 48 yrds FG...Not automatic but at least have a chance to go up by 7....
Am I the only one that would have gone for it in that situation?
a) The probability of kicking a 48 yard field goal is roughly the same as the probability of converting a 4th and 4.
b) Kicking and missing is 7 yards worse than going and failing.
c) Converting virtually seals the game while Baltimore has a fairly decent chance of coming back even if the field goal is successful.
I know nearly everyone associated with football would kick there. The question is why. Going is a better play overall. Coaches do make pisspoor decisions. Its just not the ones fans see.
The delayed of game penalty was BAD...Unacceptable !!!...They were about to try a 48 yrds FG...Not automatic but at least have a chance to go up by 7....
Am I the only one that would have gone for it in that situation?
a) The probability of kicking a 48 yard field goal is roughly the same as the probability of converting a 4th and 4.
b) Kicking and missing is 7 yards worse than going and failing.
c) Converting virtually seals the game while Baltimore has a fairly decent chance of coming back even if the field goal is successful.
I know nearly everyone associated with football would kick there. The question is why. Going is a better play overall. Coaches do make pisspoor decisions. Its just not the ones fans see.
More on the defemsive side, for a team known to have a agressive defense to go soft with no pressure on the QB is got to be the MOST STUPID THING EVER!!!!! They madr it to easy for Balt.
More on the defemsive side, for a team known to have a agressive defense to go soft with no pressure on the QB is got to be the MOST STUPID THING EVER!!!!! They madr it to easy for Balt.
Am I the only one that would have gone for it in that situation?
a) The probability of kicking a 48 yard field goal is roughly the same as the probability of converting a 4th and 4.
b) Kicking and missing is 7 yards worse than going and failing.
c) Converting virtually seals the game while Baltimore has a fairly decent chance of coming back even if the field goal is successful.
I know nearly everyone associated with football would kick there. The question is why. Going is a better play overall. Coaches do make pisspoor decisions. Its just not the ones fans see.
This is a great post, the answer being if they miss a kick its on the kicker, if they dont convert on 4th down its on the coach. If the coaches made decisions based on numbers and probability rather than media and fan perception then they'd give themselves a much better chance to win. I could write a thesis on this but as it is currently you just accept that is how the NFL is and don't be surprised by the permanent counter productive decisions made by the coaches.
I didnt see anything wrong with Steelers play calling until the 4th and 4. Great shout on the Rams though, maybe Josh McDaniels doesn't care for Bradford and is keen to work with Andrew Luck next year...... or more likely he is just stupid
Am I the only one that would have gone for it in that situation?
a) The probability of kicking a 48 yard field goal is roughly the same as the probability of converting a 4th and 4.
b) Kicking and missing is 7 yards worse than going and failing.
c) Converting virtually seals the game while Baltimore has a fairly decent chance of coming back even if the field goal is successful.
I know nearly everyone associated with football would kick there. The question is why. Going is a better play overall. Coaches do make pisspoor decisions. Its just not the ones fans see.
This is a great post, the answer being if they miss a kick its on the kicker, if they dont convert on 4th down its on the coach. If the coaches made decisions based on numbers and probability rather than media and fan perception then they'd give themselves a much better chance to win. I could write a thesis on this but as it is currently you just accept that is how the NFL is and don't be surprised by the permanent counter productive decisions made by the coaches.
I didnt see anything wrong with Steelers play calling until the 4th and 4. Great shout on the Rams though, maybe Josh McDaniels doesn't care for Bradford and is keen to work with Andrew Luck next year...... or more likely he is just stupid
Tomlin got outcoached. The pass on first down was very high percentage. Pro football player is expected to catch it. He didn't.
Agree with those criticizing delay of game penalty or not just going for it on 4th and 4. Steelers were up 4, Ravens needed a TD. I think they should've went for it. I had the Ravens +3.5, the ML and +4 for 2nd half. I'm quite happy with the outcome.
Tomlin got outcoached. The pass on first down was very high percentage. Pro football player is expected to catch it. He didn't.
Agree with those criticizing delay of game penalty or not just going for it on 4th and 4. Steelers were up 4, Ravens needed a TD. I think they should've went for it. I had the Ravens +3.5, the ML and +4 for 2nd half. I'm quite happy with the outcome.
I bet big on Pittsburgh and I must say that I was pretty excited when somehow they managed to go up four points late when they had been outplayed virtually the entire game. I though perhaps I would get lucky and be on the right side.
What pissed me off more than the offensive play-calling was the defensive strategy in the closing two minutes. How many times must a team learn that you can't play a soft zone defense and not expect to keep the other team from moving the ball downfield.
Pittsburgh deserved to lose for not being able to get one key stop. But that's gambling for you. Just move on to the next game.
I bet big on Pittsburgh and I must say that I was pretty excited when somehow they managed to go up four points late when they had been outplayed virtually the entire game. I though perhaps I would get lucky and be on the right side.
What pissed me off more than the offensive play-calling was the defensive strategy in the closing two minutes. How many times must a team learn that you can't play a soft zone defense and not expect to keep the other team from moving the ball downfield.
Pittsburgh deserved to lose for not being able to get one key stop. But that's gambling for you. Just move on to the next game.
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