[DC 86]

1.  I don't know why anyone thinks if Tartt makes the INT, SF wins.  Why?  They did nothing in Q4 offensively.  Let's say the 'Niners get the ball at midfield (a good run back after the pick).  3 and out is most likely outcome.  The best argument for why it may have altered the result is the effect on Stafford, who would then have had 2 brutal/costly picks.  Maybe that rattles him.  Maybe.  But to say SF wins for sure with a pick there is a pretty big leap.

It's impossible to know what happens if Tartt catches the ball, but it's not entirely accurate to say that SF did nothing offensively in Q4. They gained 36 yards on the drive that ended with the punt on fourth-and-two. If SF had gotten the ball around midfield they only need fifteen yards for Gould to be in FG range. One first down and three plays would have taken time off the clock, puts SF up by three (assuming Gould makes it) and puts LA in the situation that found itself in: deep in their own territory with the opposing d-line selling out on rushing the passer.

Possibly SF goes three-and-out but also possibly they get three first downs and LA doesn't even get the ball back or gets it back with almost no time left. Either way the dropped interception was a major swing in win probability given the amount of time left in the game.

Having said all that, SF should have gone for it on fourth-and-two; perhaps negative emotion got the best of them after actually losing yardage on the two running plays after having second-and-one. SF's inability to run the ball was the story of the offense, not Garoppolo.

Shanahan addressed the 4th and two call today.  He was prepared to go if it was 4th and 1 but after seeing two consecutive runs go nowhere, he felt punting on 4th and 2 was the prudent call.  In essence, he indicated that LA’s ability to control the LOS was the determining factor.

As I watched the game, I said punt so I can’t say that I would have gone for it……

That's what I meant by negative emotion. After being stuffed twice Shanahan lost confidence, but in reality the upside of making a first down there is enormous, they should have figured out their best play and gone for it.

[DC 86]

1.  I don't know why anyone thinks if Tartt makes the INT, SF wins.  Why?  They did nothing in Q4 offensively.  Let's say the 'Niners get the ball at midfield (a good run back after the pick).  3 and out is most likely outcome.  The best argument for why it may have altered the result is the effect on Stafford, who would then have had 2 brutal/costly picks.  Maybe that rattles him.  Maybe.  But to say SF wins for sure with a pick there is a pretty big leap.

It's impossible to know what happens if Tartt catches the ball, but it's not entirely accurate to say that SF did nothing offensively in Q4. They gained 36 yards on the drive that ended with the punt on fourth-and-two. If SF had gotten the ball around midfield they only need fifteen yards for Gould to be in FG range. One first down and three plays would have taken time off the clock, puts SF up by three (assuming Gould makes it) and puts LA in the situation that found itself in: deep in their own territory with the opposing d-line selling out on rushing the passer.

Possibly SF goes three-and-out but also possibly they get three first downs and LA doesn't even get the ball back or gets it back with almost no time left. Either way the dropped interception was a major swing in win probability given the amount of time left in the game.

Having said all that, SF should have gone for it on fourth-and-two; perhaps negative emotion got the best of them after actually losing yardage on the two running plays after having second-and-one. SF's inability to run the ball was the story of the offense, not Garoppolo.

Shanahan addressed the 4th and two call today.  He was prepared to go if it was 4th and 1 but after seeing two consecutive runs go nowhere, he felt punting on 4th and 2 was the prudent call.  In essence, he indicated that LA’s ability to control the LOS was the determining factor.

As I watched the game, I said punt so I can’t say that I would have gone for it……

That's what I meant by negative emotion. After being stuffed twice Shanahan lost confidence, but in reality the upside of making a first down there is enormous, they should have figured out their best play and gone for it.