If you call a time out and it becomes 4th down (thus ending up with the same-ish kick), guess who gets the ball back make or miss?
Not only do they get the ball back, but they ALSO have at least 1 timeout. But maybe even 2.
So ... I have a HARD time believing that if MM did the thing "3yr olds were calling for", and LAC gets the ball back, that MM is getting ANY love from those that are crying about it today.
Just call it a hunch.
P.S. Do you know how many scientists (you know, people smarter than 3 year olds) OPPOSED Einstein's Theory of Relativity? Something to think about when the "masses" says something is wrong because it was not the norm.
Here are some general thoughts about situations like this as well as some specific to this situation.
If you're settling for a 56 yard FG with a kicker who struggled week 1, you're crazy. So, the whole mindset going into the drive has to be get enough yardage to make a kick statistically favorable, play for a TD or run the clock out & go to overtime. They were clearly playing for the kick.
Blocked FG's can also lose you the game. Setting up for any kick but certainly ones from distance are
not risk free.
Incurring a penalty with a ten second runoff is also a concern. Letting the clock get below 11 seconds and incurring this type penalty would end the half. So, is it wise to let the clock run below 11 seconds if you intend to attempt another play even a kick?
The run occurred on second down. It ended with around 30 seconds. You should have known when you called a run play that you would probably need to call a timeout after the play. So, you probably shouldn't have called a run play in the middle of the field with only 1 timeout, right?
I get that they thought SD would call a timeout. I get that someone left the field who shouldn't have thus preventing them from hurrying to the line. But you should know it
could happen & be prepared. So, you either burn the timeout (if you want to try for more yardage) or you let the clock run.
If you are settling for the kick, let it run. You should still be able to get to the line & spike the ball thereby conserving your timeout as
insurance against any issues getting your FG team on the field.
If you aren't comfortable with the kick but want to take a chance to win, let it run but spike it around 8-10 seconds (just enough time to run one play & use timeout if successful). On 4th down, take a shot downfield hoping to make a play or draw a penalty. Use your timeout at the end of that play if needed. Given the rules today, isn't this a higher % play than a 56 yard FG?
If you aren't comfortable with the kick and you don't want to risk anything going wrong & giving the game away, let the time run out & go to OT.
If you burned the timeout after the second down run, you should have 30 seconds remaining. Even with confusion
at least 25 seconds remaining. Run your third down play which has to be a pass. But you still have time to get to the line & spike it if first down yardage is made or hustle your kicking team on if it's 4th down.
