If eliminated from playoff contention, why punt on 4th-and-short?

[Red Dragon]

If an NFL team has been eliminated from playoff contention (let's say they're having a really bad year; have a 2-9 record or something,) then what exactly is the point of doing things such as punting the ball on 4th-and-short? Since the game outcomes are much less meaningful, why not treat each game almost like the Pro Bowl, and be as dangerously unpredictable as possible? Try to convert a 4th-and-short, instead of punting. Go for the touchdown on 4th-and-goal, instead of kicking a field goal.


I can understand the wisdom of punting the ball on 4th-and-long...........after all, nobody wants to get blown out 62-7 like the Colts were, by the Saints, but why not just go for it on 4th-and-short every time?


What, really, do you have to lose if you've already had a bad season to the point where you have been eliminated from playoff contention? Might as well entertain the fans, right?

[Hoofbite]

Probably to avoid further embarrassment.

[Beast_from_East]

If an NFL team has been eliminated from playoff contention (let's say they're having a really bad year; have a 2-9 record or something,) then what exactly is the point of doing things such as punting the ball on 4th-and-short? Since the game outcomes are much less meaningful, why not treat each game almost like the Pro Bowl, and be as dangerously unpredictable as possible? Try to convert a 4th-and-short, instead of punting. Go for the touchdown on 4th-and-goal, instead of kicking a field goal.


I can understand the wisdom of punting the ball on 4th-and-long...........after all, nobody wants to get blown out 62-7 like the Colts were, by the Saints, but why not just go for it on 4th-and-short every time?


What, really, do you have to lose if you've already had a bad season to the point where you have been eliminated from playoff contention? Might as well entertain the fans, right?

You just answered you own question. The reason you are 2-9 as you say is because you probably are not very good at short yardage. If you had a decent o-line and could pick up 1 or 2 yards when needed, you would not be 2-9 to begin with.

Thus, you punt and hope the other team just runs the clock out so you dont get embarrassed.

[Nav22]

Because NFL coaches have zero job security. If they're losing, there's a solid chance the fan-base is already against them. If they compound this by doing things that further piss off the fan-base, they're making it harder and harder for management NOT to fire you.

Don't give fans much credit here. The average fan isn't bright enough to realize that a 21-3 loss counts the same as a 28-3 loss. That's why you see teams punting when they're down 21-3 with 5 minutes left.

[jgboys1]

http://i.qkme.me/365921.jpg

[Cowboys22]

Because NFL coaches have zero job security. If they're losing, there's a solid chance the fan-base is already against them. If they compound this by doing things that further piss off the fan-base, they're making it harder and harder for management NOT to fire you.

Don't give fans much credit here. The average fan isn't bright enough to realize that a 21-3 loss counts the same as a 28-3 loss. That's why you see teams punting when they're down 21-3 with 5 minutes left.

This is your answer but I will add one other thing that goes along with it. NFL coaches and players are trying to win every game. They have pride. Whan a game starts, it doesn't matter what your record is. What matters is what happens in this game and they want to win it, period. Football coaches and teams evolve as a season progresses. Just because they have lost games in previous weeks doesn't mean they aren't trying to get better and win each week.

[Doomsday101]

If an NFL team has been eliminated from playoff contention (let's say they're having a really bad year; have a 2-9 record or something,) then what exactly is the point of doing things such as punting the ball on 4th-and-short? Since the game outcomes are much less meaningful, why not treat each game almost like the Pro Bowl, and be as dangerously unpredictable as possible? Try to convert a 4th-and-short, instead of punting. Go for the touchdown on 4th-and-goal, instead of kicking a field goal.


I can understand the wisdom of punting the ball on 4th-and-long...........after all, nobody wants to get blown out 62-7 like the Colts were, by the Saints, but why not just go for it on 4th-and-short every time?


What, really, do you have to lose if you've already had a bad season to the point where you have been eliminated from playoff contention? Might as well entertain the fans, right?

I tend to agree with you. Getting beat by 3 or 7 does not make me feel better than losing by 20 it is a Loss no matter how you slice it. If your team is trailing late in the game then you pull out every thing you have, you take the chances and in 4th down situation you go for it. Only thing you will lose is the game and you will do that anyways by not trying

[Picksix]

I tend to agree with you. Getting beat by 3 or 7 does not make me feel better than losing by 20 it is a Loss no matter how you slice it. If your team is trailing late in the game then you pull out every thing you have, you take the chances and in 4th down situation you go for it. Only thing you will lose is the game and you will do that anyways by not trying


I think it may even go further than that. Say, you're down 21-3 with a 4 minutes left. The game - barring something insane - is over. But if you go for it from say, your own 32 yard line, and don't get it, now your defense has to go out and defend a short field, in a game that's basically been decided. You're putting them in a very tough position. Now it's easy to say, they're getting paid millions, they should continue to play all out regardless of time and score, and you're right. But the reality is, mentally they've probably already checked out. They feel like they're being needlessly put behind the 8-ball. Depending on the type of character you have on defense, they may step up, or they may quit. If the latter occurs, then everyone looks bad. The coach then may feel like he's at risk of losing the team, or at least part of it.

Of course, it's just one perspective.

Also, the coach may just want to see if his ST's can cause a turnover. Strange things happen sometimes.

But regardless, I think the coach is always coaching to win the game, and if that's unattainable, to limit the loss.

[RastaRocket]

Well if your 2-9 you probably need to develop your team A LOT. You put them through the situations as any game would be regardless of your record, and hope they learn and progress.

[Doomsday101]

I think it may even go further than that. Say, you're down 21-3 with a 4 minutes left. The game - barring something insane - is over. But if you go for it from say, your own 32 yard line, and don't get it, now your defense has to go out and defend a short field, in a game that's basically been decided. You're putting them in a very tough position. Now it's easy to say, they're getting paid millions, they should continue to play all out regardless of time and score, and you're right. But the reality is, mentally they've probably already checked out. They feel like they're being needlessly put behind the 8-ball. Depending on the type of character you have on defense, they may step up, or they may quit. If the latter occurs, then everyone looks bad. The coach then may feel like he's at risk of losing the team, or at least part of it.

Of course, it's just one perspective.

Also, the coach may just want to see if his ST's can cause a turnover. Strange things happen sometimes.

But regardless, I think the coach is always coaching to win the game, and if that's unattainable, to limit the loss.

Then they checked out but in the end a 1 point loss and a 20 point loss count the same in the W/L column. They don't charge you with 2 L because you got blown out. I can deal with getting blown out I have a harder time with dealing with surrender and giving up.

I would also say given some of the most unlikely come backs that I have witnessed in the NFL, I learned never say never until it is over.

[RastaRocket]

Then they checked out but in the end a 1 point loss and a 20 point loss count the same in the W/L column. They don't charge you with 2 L because you got blown out. I can deal with getting blown out I have a harder time with dealing with surrender and giving up.

I would also say given some of the most unlikely come backs, I never say never until it is over.

:beer2: Bills game.

[Chocolate Lab]

Part of it is respect for the game. Even if you're getting drummed, you don't just say "Oh well, a 30 point loss is the same as a 14 point one" and start playing crazy ball. You still play as hard as you can and play the right way.

Plus you don't want to signal to your team that if you're having a bad game or year, it's okay to pack it in.

[Doomsday101]

:beer2: Bills game.

I can think of many games where fans were already leaving only to find out in the parking lot that their team just won.

[RastaRocket]

I can think of many games where fans were already leaving only to find out in the parking lot that their team just won.

For sure. Gotta love sports.

[Trendnet]

Plus you don't want to signal to your team that if you're having a bad game or year, it's okay to pack it in.

Punting on 4th and inches when the game is essentially meaningless... isn't that a bigger sign that you're packing it in?

My own personal opinion, is that a team in most circumstances (not all) shouldn't even really punt anyways, regardless if you're in contention or not.

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

http://i.qkme.me/365921.jpg

:lmao:

[Chocolate Lab]

Punting on 4th and inches when the game is essentially meaningless... isn't that a bigger sign that you're packing it in?

Well fourth and inches is different, and doesn't happen very often.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

If an NFL team has been eliminated from playoff contention (let's say they're having a really bad year; have a 2-9 record or something,) then what exactly is the point of doing things such as punting the ball on 4th-and-short? Since the game outcomes are much less meaningful, why not treat each game almost like the Pro Bowl, and be as dangerously unpredictable as possible? Try to convert a 4th-and-short, instead of punting. Go for the touchdown on 4th-and-goal, instead of kicking a field goal.


I can understand the wisdom of punting the ball on 4th-and-long...........after all, nobody wants to get blown out 62-7 like the Colts were, by the Saints, but why not just go for it on 4th-and-short every time?


What, really, do you have to lose if you've already had a bad season to the point where you have been eliminated from playoff contention? Might as well entertain the fans, right?

same reason you put a guy on IR two days before game 16 when you are out, rote

[Nav22]

Part of it is respect for the game. Even if you're getting drummed, you don't just say "Oh well, a 30 point loss is the same as a 14 point one" and start playing crazy ball. You still play as hard as you can and play the right way.

Plus you don't want to signal to your team that if you're having a bad game or year, it's okay to pack it in.

But that's exactly what you're doing when you're down 21-3 and decide to punt with 5 minutes left. If you go for it and score a TD, you're back in it at 21-10. Recover the ensuing onside kick and you're truly back in business.

It's coaches being mindful of their own job security. And it's coaches being mindful of their players not wanting to get embarrassed by the final deficit.

It has NOTHING, however, to do with trying to win a football game that day, and that's the problem I will always have with it.

You mentioned "respect for the game". I thought the point of showing up on Sundays was to do everything in your power to try and win a game. And if "crazy ball" is the only way you could conceivably pull off a miraculous comeback, then "crazy ball" is what you should play. Even if 99 times out of 100, that leads to a larger losing deficit. That still leaves one time where "crazy ball" gets you a W.

(channeling Little Giants... "Yeah, one time!")