Electing to receive the ball first

[CATCH17]

Why do coaches still do this?

Whether you are winning or losing it’s a huge advantage to get the ball after halftime.

If you score just before halftime and then get the ball right after half and score you can nearly put the game away.

I know Dallas is a much better team when they are front running back playing from behind but have a little faith in this defense to set the tone and take the ball after halftime when you win the toss.

 

[phildadon86]

Why do coaches still do this?

Whether you are winning or losing it’s a huge advantage to get the ball after halftime.

If you score just before halftime and then get the ball right after half and score you can nearly put the game away.

I know Dallas is a much better team when they are front running back playing from behind but have a little faith in this defense to set the tone and take the ball after halftime when you win the toss.

I HATE not deferring. Hate it.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

It's McCarthy.

You have to lower your expectations when it comes to him.

 

[csirl]

Teams can often be a bit rusty on the first drive, so chances are you'll receive a punt with good field position if you defer.

 

[Direwolf63]

I hate it. Hated it when Garrett did it. Hate it now

 

[Carson]

I hate it. Hated it when Garrett did it. Hate it now

Agreed. The odds are always better getting the ball at half.

They expect to get it first, score, get a stop and go score again

 

[MWH1967]

Put me down with the defer group. No one is warm yet and has all the gitters out. I want to talk about it at half and give them a better shot then.

 

[ghosttown cowboy]

That 3 and out with zero runs set the tone for the entire game in my opinion...

 

[fivetwos]

You realize that Garrett did this almost always yes?

 

[atlantacowboy]

Why do coaches still do this?

Whether you are winning or losing it’s a huge advantage to get the ball after halftime.

If you score just before halftime and then get the ball right after half and score you can nearly put the game away.

I know Dallas is a much better team when they are front running back playing from behind but have a little faith in this defense to set the tone and take the ball after halftime when you win the toss.

Under Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys ALWAYS deferred to the second half. I don't understand why any team would choose to take the ball first. Its way better to have your defense on the field first when the adrenaline in pumping at the start of a game, and then get the ball first in the second half.

 

[Jarntt]

Meh. If we kicked off they would have just scored 2 minutes earlier.

 

[CowboyMort]

I think that the theory they are using is that if we can go down and score first, then we get a stop and score again, we have the other team on their heels. That's all I got. I would tend to defer as well, given the choice.

 

[Carson]

Meh. If we kicked off they would have just scored 2 minutes earlier.

Yeah but then the game slows down. Things change.

Imagine if it were 19-6, we score on the Lamb TD with 30 seconds or so. Score is then 19-13 with momentum. You then get the ball with a chance to take a lead

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

I think every game the last 3 years we have always did this. At first just thought we were losing the coin toss (was like send someone else out there). But I can't remember when we have gotten the ball to begin the 2nd half (Probably back when the Tuna was here, just kidding) it has been a long time. When you either go 3 and out or miss fire on a open throw, that can set the tone early.

 

[MysteryIceGuro]

When MM does that, you know the game isn’t going to go well

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

That 3 and out with zero runs set the tone for the entire game in my opinion...

The overthrow to a wide open Gallup on literally the first play set the tone also.

 

[charron]

When your offense is usually the better unit if you can start fast you put the other offense in catch up mode faster. helps the defense. But if you are going to receive 1st you need to score 1st, cant play conservative.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

I think every game the last 3 years we have always did this. At first just thought we were losing the coin toss (was like send someone else out there). But I can't remember when we have gotten the ball to begin the 2nd half (Probably back when the Tuna was here, just kidding) it has been a long time. When you either go 3 and out or miss fire on a open throw, that can set the tone early.

Early this year we were winning and definitely deferred everytime. They decided to set the tone vs Falcons after the Denver debacle which is fine, but don't do it every game especially on the road in a loud stadium. The crowd is at their loudest at the start, usually at the half most of the fans aren't even back in their seats yet and its not as energized.

Seattle? Kansas? Similar loud stadiums? DEFER

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I mean its like with any coaching decision its going to come down to execution.

If the Cowboys defer and get the Chiefs off the field then the decision looks great and your team gains momentum.
If they elect to receive and score first...the decision looks great and you put the opposing team on its heels and you gain momentum.

There's no wrong answer. Its about which option helps your team win.

And to me....it comes down to do I have more confidence in this defense stopping the Chiefs if I defer or do I have more confidence in my team going down the field on the Chiefs defense and scoring?

There's no wrong decision unless you are playing Madden then yeah I'd rather get ball at half.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Early this year we were winning and definitely deferred everytime. They decided to set the tone vs Falcons after the Denver debacle which is fine, but don't do it every game especially on the road in a loud stadium. The crowd is at their loudest at the start, usually at the half most of the fans aren't even back in their seats yet and its not as energized.

Seattle? Kansas? Similar loud stadiums? DEFER

Its actually a smartest decision I'm shocked fans are letting it go over their head like this.