Please...Pass The Ball!
What's the deal with teams not being able to convert 3rd-and-1? Or worse yet, 4th-and-1. I am thinking of the Steelers and Eagles - and now the Colts - as I wonder about this. Why not try that new-fangled pass thing? I am hardly a football tactician, but I can see that this might be something worth a shot. Just sayin'...
There was the Eagles-Bears game when the Eagles turned the ball over on downs after a failed 4th-and-1 (on the Bears 1 yard line) against the Bears. This after two failed run attempts for the same yard prior to that.
Then the Eagles did it again against the Redskins. After getting nothing on a 2nd-and-1 run on the Redskins two yard line, they lost three yards on another run, then kicked the field goal.
The Steelers didn't want to be left out, and they were stopped inside the Dallas five yard line on fourth down - again on a failed run attempt.
At least the Steelers managed to win the game, but the fact remains that running for it when a yard is needed is no longer a gimme. Not that it ever was, but it seems that this one yard is harder to get than ever in 2008.
Now the Colts have joined this dubious fraternity, failing on 3rd-and-1 from nine yards out against Jacksonville.
And more from Jacksonville: Do broadcasters even listen to one another? Seconds before Adam Vinateri missed a 30-yard field goal, Cris Collinsworth's booth partner said that Vinateri was lining up for an extra point try. Nothing from Collinsworth.
That WAS a touchdown
The league has backed the officials who called Santonio Holmes 4-yard catch a score. Steelers win, time to move on. It's too bad it had to be a close call and slightly mar an otherwise great win for the Steelers, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
I sure hope the Ravens don't make the playoffs. I'd rather the Steelers not have to face the Ravens a third time. Two wins is pretty sweet, but three....that's tough. But they did it before, beating the Bill Belichik-coached Browns three times in 1993, so anything can happen. The way they're playing, I think the Steelers can beat anyone right now.
It sure would be fun to beat the Ravens a third time. But first the Ravens will have their hands full this weekend with the surging Cowboys. That should be a fun game, and I am not sure who I am rooting for. Can both teams be credited with a loss?
1 comment:
The Eagles failed FOUR times on first and goal against Chicago, twice against Washington, and twice on 3rd and 1 in the first Giants game on the would-be winning TD drive. That Chicago game right now could end up being the difference between the Eagles being in the playoffs or sitting home.
Post a Comment