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5 Comments (3 conversations)
Elijah Jamison
I actually don’t hate any of Sirianni’s decisions in this one, unlike the Falcons game where he was inconsistent in when to go for it and when not to. Consistency is the key and you live and die by the results. The idea is the aggregate of the aggressive decisions will provide an edge, even if once in a while it doesn’t work.
That said, on the 4th and 1 and I think they should’ve tush pushed it, and if the Jags stop that play 3 times then tip your cap. Other than that play call, I’m in support of Sirianni on this one; that’s been the Eagles identity.
Anyway great article as always!
Jim Kempner
I know that I love it when it works, but…I didn’t like going for it on 4th and four rather than going for the FG. I think it would have made it 13-0. It would also pile it on, showing the jags we’ll always score.
I didn’t like trying for two when they had 17 after the PAT. As soon as they called the penalty I knew Sirianni would go for it, although I didn’t see much advantage of 18 v. 17.
I didn’t like the 4th and inches fake tush push that went nowhere after failing twice at their signature play. By forgoing the play the coach told the OL he didn’t trust them.
Finally, every team has an almost fool-proof two-yard play–like the pass Barkley dropped against Atlanta. We don’t. What we have is Hurts running around looking for something.
We know Hurts holds the ball too long, so we don’t seem to have those quick pass plays. Fine. Hurts is good, he’s our QB, device something else.
guadzilla
Count me in the camp that doesnt hate the decisions to go for it.
Statististically, you have 90% chance of gaining a yard on the Brotherly Shove and getting the 2 points – that makes it a no-brainer compared to kicking a PAT if you are at the 1 yard line. Analytics and outcome have supported this decision making pretty much since the days of Doug – you can’t go “oh, it was a bad call” when it the outcome doesnt match the statistical decision making heuristic.
To me, the bigger questions are:
1). Why didnt it work – which is something they will analyze
2). Why did they run a “normal” play to gain a yard or two on 4th down – something like a quick out or even a normal RB run from 12 – instead of that horrendous Hurts roll out. I mean, you have a stud OL – surely it can get enough of a push for your stud RB to gain a yard, especially if you have a bunch of WRs that the other team also has to account for.
jcheim90
My issue with going for it & ignoring the points in this game is the context that it was the Jags & you were dominating the game. I know the is the math & that is all well & good but, in this game, even just the 2 extra points would have had them up 7 at the end vs 5. There are times when you should know you need to be aggressive for all the extra points you can get & there are times when you just keep putting up points.
Derrick Stagliano
My only issue was that 4th and inches roll-out playcall. Absolutely insane, even if it worked. Unfortunately, the insane decision was compounded by a stupid playcall with 1/2 the field taken away with no one even remotely open.