Jim Harbaugh Made the Right Call in Keeping Field Goal on the Board

After the crushing 27-24 loss in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, many downhearted 49ers fans frantically looked for a scapegoat.

Some blamed the defense for the collapse, and rightly so since the San Francisco 49ers defense gave up a few big plays that ultimately decided the contest.

On the other hand, some have pointed their finger at Jim Harbaugh after his controversial decision to keep the points rather than getting the ball on the opponent's 25-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

In case you missed it, the 49ers were up by seven with 11 minutes left to play. David Akers kicked an impressive 55-yard field goal that put them up by 10, but then the drama commenced.

Keith Brooking was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that would've pushed the ball up 15 yards and given the 49ers an automatic first down. However, it would have been at the expense of taking the three points off of the board, and Harbaugh wasn't willing to risk that.

The 49ers then proceeded to lose the game, which prompted the moral of the story to be that Harbaugh should've accepted the penalty and gone for the knockout against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Or is it?

As it turns out, Harbaugh's decision was not only the rational decision but the correct decision, and many other coaches would've done the same if in Harbaugh's shoes. Here is a list of six reasons why Harbaugh's decision was not the reason the 49ers lost on Sunday.

6. Offense Was Struggling in the Second Half

It was a tale of two halves for the San Francisco 49ers offense. In the first half, Alex Smith was moving the ball with ease, and for the first time this year, the 49ers looked like they had a legitimate West Coast offense in the works.

However, the rest of the game made 49ers fans wonder if the offense forgot how to play football while sitting in the locker room during halftime. In the second half, the 49ers offense conducted seven drives with a combined 22 plays from scrimmage, an average of just over a three-and-out every offensive possession.

The seven drives resulted in four punts, one interception, one touchdown—which was the only play of one drive—and a field goal. At the end of the day, the 49ers gained 66 total yards in the second half, which was certainly not something to write home about.

Quarterback Alex Smith was also sacked six times, so it is no guarantee that the 49ers would've moved the ball at all if they accepted the penalty.

5. Akers Isn't Reliable from a Distance

If Harbaugh accepted the penalty, the ball would've been moved to the 25-yard line. From that spot on the field, it would've been a 42-yard field goal which isn't exactly David Akers' specialty.

In his career, Akers has only made 30-percent of his field goals between 40-49 yards. The rapid winds in Candlestick Park would've made for an even more unpredictable field goal attempt as well. 

Sure, Akers made a 55-yard field goal just moments prior, and that certainly was impressive. However, there always lies the chance that he wouldn't make one the second time around. There always runs the risk of a botched hold or a blocked field goal, so three points wouldn't even be guaranteed if the Niners accepted the penalty.

4. Keeping the Points Made It a Two-Possession Game

By declining the penalty and pushing the 49ers lead to 10 points, it forced the Dallas Cowboys to score at least twice with 11 minutes to play.

If the field goal still only put the 49ers up by one possession, there is no doubting that Harbaugh would've opted to take the fresh set of downs. However, it was the fourth quarter and the Niners were trying to play with the lead.

In this occurrence, any team playing with the lead that has the opportunity to tack on more points would not hesitate in doing so.

Harbaugh was simply playing the odds and putting the ball in the Cowboys court by forcing them to compile two separate scoring drives.

3. Why Did the Defense Go into Prevent During the Final Drive of Regulation?

It is the defensive scheme that drives me and many other football fanatics insane: the bend, but don't break defense in order to prevent the big play.

In the final four minutes of regulation, the Cowboys needed just a field goal to tie the game and force overtime. The 49ers defense elected to prevent the big play, but permit the underneath passing and running plays. This strictly contradicted the style of play that limited the Cowboys to only seven points in the first half.

Dallas was able to march down field for 44 yards in 10 plays, and ultimately kicked their way to beating San Francisco as time expired.

Why the San Francisco defense decided to deviate from what was successful the entire game is certainly a head-scratcher.

2. Defense Gave Up the Big Plays That Ultimately Cost the 49ers the Game

If anyone is to blame for the loss to the Cowboys, the 49ers defense should be the ones who have the fingers pointed at them.

If it wasn't for Tramaine Brock's slip when Miles Austin ran a slant route for a 53-yard touchdown at the end of the half, the 49ers would've been up 14-0 with all of the momentum on their side. 

On top of Austin's lucky sprint into the end zone in the first half, the 49ers defense allowed six plays of over 20 yards, including Holley's 77-yard catch to set up the game winning field goal in overtime.

Despite intercepting two passes—both off of backup John Kitna—the 49ers only accumulated one sack and gave Tony Romo ample time to find his receivers for the big play.

It's hard to say that the 49ers defense cost us the game since they played extremely well for the most part. However, if we have to point the finger, it should be directed towards the 49ers defense.

1. Never Take Points Off of the Board

It's the golden rule when it comes to football: Never take points off of the board. The saying couldn't have held more true for the 49ers who were currently in the middle an offensive struggle.

It's easy to look back on a decision and criticize it once it has been proven to be the wrong decision. However, it's important to look back and evaluate all of the possible outcomes if Harbaugh elected to take the fresh set of downs.

The way the 49ers were playing, they easily could've been sacked and lost yardage on the drive. Or worse yet, they could've turned the ball over and allowed the Cowboys to march down field and tie the game on one drive instead of two.

There is no guaranteeing that the 49ers would've scored any points if they elected to take the points off of the board and continue their drive.

The fact of the matter is that Harbaugh made the right decision in keeping the points and the majority of the other coaches around the NFL would've done the same.

Could you imagine the criticism that Harbaugh would've received if he opted to accept the penalty and the 49ers failed to score?

Granted, Harbaugh didn't make the risky call, but he made the logical and rational call that gave the 49ers the best chance to win.