Saturday's AFC Wild Card matchup between the Jaguars and Steelers was one of the more exciting playoff games I've ever seen.
Although the Jags jumped out to a 28-10 lead, Pittsburgh was able to work its way back into the game behind a solid second-half performance from Ben Roethlisberger.
But it was too little too late for the Steelers, as Jacksonville drove down the field in the final minutes for what would be a game-winning field goal.
Many Pittsburgh fans will want to blame the loss on Roethlisberger, who threw three interceptions and fumbled in the final minute to secure the game for the Jags. Yes, the turnovers definitely hurt—but then again the Steelers were still in it in the final minutes.
In truth, what really lost the game for Pittsburgh was two poor coaching decisions by Mike Tomlin.
Down 28-23 with four minutes left after a Heath Miller touchdown, Tomlin decided to go for two to make it a three-point game. The Steelers didn't convert, and remained down five.
It seemed meaningless at the time—but after David Garrard was intercepted again, the Steelers found the end zone and went up 29-28.
The failure on the first conversion compelled Tomlin to go for two again—and the try was once again unsuccessful.
Here's a message to Tomlin and every other coach in the league: Only go for two if you absolutely HAVE TO.
Had Pittsburgh taken the extra point in each of those scenarios, they would've been up 31-28 at the end—and Josh Scobee's field goal would have only forced overtime. I realize there were under four minutes left when Miller scored to make it 28-23, but you never know what will happen down the stretch.
My two cents: If you're down by two or up by one in the final two minutes, you should go for two. Outside of a few other special situations, that's it.
Coaches like to rely on a chart to tell them when to try the two-point conversion—but the chart is based solely on probability, and not on the flow of the game.
Aside from Garrard's two late interceptions, the Jags dominated the game. Still, the Steelers were well within reach in the fourth quarter—and had they simply chosen to take the easy points, they might be the ones gearing up for the next round of the playoffs.
Tomlin is a rookie coach, and I hope he's learned his lesson. For now, it's congrats to the Jags.
8 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Ben Gunby about 1 year ago
Hindsight is always 20/20.
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Nino Colla about 1 year ago
Exactly^
You can't blame him for something that happened AFTER the fact he made those decisions.
Tomlin said if he knew he was going to lose by two he probably would have kicked the extra points. But who knows that? At that point in time, it made sense to go for two both times(and one time they got it, but a phantom holding call brought it back).
Fact of the matter is, I don't think you can make a right call in that situation. You just have to hope the one you make turns out for the better. It didn't in this case.
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Brad Simkulet about 1 year ago
I totally agree with the first two pointer. It shouldn't have been done. But I think Tomlin put himself in the mental space that after the first one failed he HAD to go for the second one. At least I think he could make that argument. Glad he made the screw-up, no matter why he made it. Go Jags!
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Mark Myers about 1 year ago
I count one mistake--going for two from the twelve yard line. Going for two from the two on the first TD was the right call--as was going for two on the second TD (after the first one failed).
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Sean Crowe about 1 year ago
I'm not sure the Jags dominated the game. 3 big plays won it. The pick-6, the kick return, and the QB sneak. Outside of those three plays, the Steelers pretty much controlled the game.
Going for 2 was the right decision in the first instance until the penalty. Then they should have kicked the extra point.
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Jordan Alexander about 1 year ago
yeah forgot to mention the 12 yard 2-point conversion. that made it even tougher clearly. thanks for the reminder guys
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
>Down 28-23 with four minutes left after a Heath Miller touchdown
There was actually 10:25 left in the game at that point - all the more reason not to understand the decision.
For Tomlin to go for two after the holding penalty, he must have had the mindset that going for 2 was a necessity - otherwise, that penalty should have given him the chance to do the right thing and kick the XP.
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Randall Gallup about 1 year ago
Nice no call on Ward - his hand was so far up William's face mask, he could have taken off his breathe right...
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