02-06-2017, 03:40 PM
This isn't one of those "play calls don't matter" situations. It was certifiably insane to pass the ball after Jones made his miraculous catch at the 25 or whatever it was. I'm usually the guy saying you win the game by getting a first down and holding onto the ball in that situation (and that trying to get a first down throwing when they expect run is a smart decision), but the score and clock have to be factored in too. Given the clock situation and the score, the smartest route was to run the ball, force the Patriots to use their timeouts, and kick the FG to go up by 11. Anything that deviated from that failsafe FG option was sheer lunacy.
Kyle Shanahan will be derided for the pass play being called, but what about Quinn? He's the head coach. He's got the power to veto a pass play in that situation. Doesn't the fact Quinn didn't, make him just as if not more culpable than Shanahan for dialing up a pass play that led to a brobdingnagian sack? Hell they even could have run the ball on the next play to preserve the FG option instead of getting the holding penalty that knocked them out of FG position. I hate FGs, but sometimes you do have to embrace them!
Kyle Shanahan will be derided for the pass play being called, but what about Quinn? He's the head coach. He's got the power to veto a pass play in that situation. Doesn't the fact Quinn didn't, make him just as if not more culpable than Shanahan for dialing up a pass play that led to a brobdingnagian sack? Hell they even could have run the ball on the next play to preserve the FG option instead of getting the holding penalty that knocked them out of FG position. I hate FGs, but sometimes you do have to embrace them!