Is Dallas finally overcoming conservatism on 4th down?

[Red Dragon]

Dallas should have gone for it on fourth down from the Bears' 36-yard line in the first quarter rather than punt, in my opinion. But I was pleasantly surprised to see the Cowboys try two 4th-down conversions on one drive; perhaps going for it on 4th down thrice in one half was just too much to expect.


Are we finally seeing a more gambling, audacious Cowboys approach at long last?

 

[Proximo]

Are we finally seeing a more gambling, audacious Cowboys approach at long last?

Garrett doesn't strike me as much of a gambler- I think the going for it on 4th down those couple of times was simply confidence in the O line and running game. I think if the circumstances are appropriate you'll see him go for it, but I don't think it's a sign of a gambling or risk taking mentality.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't know but the first time it doesn't work we'll be reading a thread about how stupid it was to do it.

 

[Crown Royal]

Garrett doesn't strike me as much of a gambler- I think the going for it on 4th down those couple of times was simply confidence in the O line and running game. I think if the circumstances are appropriate you'll see him go for it, but I don't think it's a sign of a gambling or risk taking mentality.

He doesn't measure risk/reward as much as he just sees risk.

 

[Red Dragon]

I think offenses should go for it almost every time they have a 4th-and-short between the opposing defense's 36-yard and 42-yard lines.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Are we finally seeing a more gambling, audacious Cowboys approach at long last?

I hope so. There is no way I punt from the Chicago 36.

 

[Crown Royal]

I hope so. There is no way I punt from the Chicago 36.

Eh it was early in the game and there was still a huge amount of risk that they expose our defense early....I was ok with that call. Giving them a short field and momentum could have changed the game.

 

[JD_KaPow]

I think offenses should go for it almost every time they have a 4th-and-short between the opposing defense's 36-yard and 42-yard lines.

This is absolutely true, and there's just a ton of research that backs it up. Except for specific situations, usually late in the game, teams should never punt from that part of the field.

NFL coaches are just absurdly risk-averse, and Garrett is one of the worst in that regard. I hope what we saw Thursday was the start of a trend.

 

[jazzcat22]

Eh it was early in the game and there was still a huge amount of risk that they expose our defense early....I was ok with that call. Giving them a short field and momentum could have changed the game.

I agree.
It was the correct decision at the time. Still early and need to see how the Bears offense were going to play as well as our defense.
Once that was established, or seemed to be. Then they took their shots, and it paid off. And that set a tone on offense.

The 2nd half forced fumble and recovery set the 2nd half tone.

 

[Doomsay]

Against better teams like the Eagles or the Colts - the risk is not scoring enough TD's to maintain pace. I hope that we take more chances early in both games.

 

[links18]

Garrett correctly realized that we needed to impose our will in that game on a much worse Bears team. he wasn't going to let coming up a little short on 3rd down in their territory get in the way. Good calls by Garrett.

 

[jazzcat22]

Garrett correctly realized that we needed to impose our will in that game on a much worse Bears team. he wasn't going to let coming up a little short on 3rd down in their territory get in the way. Good calls by Garrett.

Yes good decisions by JG.
Funny how JG made the right calls but yet we lack the threads on it. But if they didn't work, we would have 17,000 threads on how JG sucks....just saying....

 

[links18]

Yes good decisions by JG.
Funny how JG made the right calls but yet we lack the threads on it. But if they didn't work, we would have 17,000 threads on how JG sucks....just saying....

Well, there is this thread.

 

[The Natural]

I wouldn't use one game as a barometer for finally overcoming..

 

[SDCowboy]

I don't know but the first time it doesn't work we'll be reading a thread about how stupid it was to do it.

Not from me. I love going for it on 4th down.

 

[Risen Star]

Not from me. I love going for it on 4th down.

You have to pick your spots. It can win you a game but it can also lose you one too.

How about avoid 4th downs?

 

[DandyDon1722]

You have to pick your spots. It can win you a game but it can also lose you one too.

How about avoid 4th downs?

Well, yes - but did you know Kevin Kelley at Pulaski Academy in Arkansas has NEVER punted his entire coaching career.

In the past 11 seasons Kelley is 124-22 and has won three state titles at a school that had reached the state semifinals just twice in the previous 40 seasons. I realize the NFL isn't high school but 4th down statistical probabilities are better than 50%.

Problem is your coaching for your job which comes with a multi-million dollar salary. I get why they don't do it more - but they should.

 

[KB1122]

I think against Philly, we just go for broke. Onside kicks, fake punts, go for it on fourth down a few times.

 

[dbonham]

Garrett was not threatened by the bears 4th down defense. That situation comes up against the eagles and you will see him blink

 

[FiveTime]

With the current Dallas OL and the Bears D it would have been silly not to go for it on 4th and 1.