Miami punts on 4th and 4 at the Pats 41 down 4 with 5 minutes left

Miami punts on 4th and 4 at the Pats 41 down 4 with 5 minutes left You can not make this stuff up Should say down 7 - my math is as bad as the Dolphins!

i question a lot, but i can't fault this

I know this is "here comes tribe again," but this is the kind of post that drives me nuts. To me, it was obviously the right decision. At the very worst, it's marginal. Yet you say "you can't make this stuff up" as though the coaching staff are idiots and you are the genius. You're not. You are absolutely dead wrong at worst and it's arguable at best.

Punting here is mind boggling stupid.......... UP 7, you STILL should go for it. Down 7, idiotic to punt.

i read the same books ...game theory (mathematical and football) and i agree with 99.9 % of your posts, fez and sean, and i can even see your point in going for it. but in this specific instance, and these two specific teams and this punter (1/4 of LIFETIME punts inside 20---and how many of lifetime do you think were from inside his own 40, with the dolphins the last three years) I WOULD PUNT--i'm assuming that i AT LEAST put you in the hole, maybe you screw up and fumble---and i get the ball back at midfield or so with 4 downs. i don't think is nearly as blatant and +ev as most.

[QUOTE=Fezzik;8900]UP 7, you STILL should go for it. Down 7, idiotic to punt.[/QUOTE] :rolleyes: No way this is a clear cut decision. I can see your side, but to call the other side idiotic is arrogant and narrow minded. If I punt and my defense gets a stop (if I can't get a stop, this discussion is moot as I lose no matter what decision I make), I get the ball back at appx. the same spot, and 1st and 10 instead of 4th and 4. I still have plenty of time and only need to go half the field. Also, if/when I score, there will be very little time left on the clock and OT is highly probable. I am in better position than when I punted. If I go for it and don't get it, the game is essentially over. Even if defense holds and NE is forced to punt, I have to go the length of the field with a poor passing attack. If I go for it, convert and eventually score, guess what... my defense STILL has to get a stop as it will be tied with probably 2 minutes left. Do I need to stop them in 3 downs? No. But do you feel comfortable in that situation vs. Brady? I sure don't.

some of it depends on a) how good is my defense? b) how good is the opposing offense? c) can my offense reliably get 4th and 4? the answer to c) is probably not that great. but it still is better than NE offense vs Miami defense. NE is smart and can run the ball and knows how to work the clock. IMO the answer is go for it and put some faith in your offense

jefff, those are some of the things thast go into it, and i'm with tribecalledjeff when he says it's arrogant and narrow minded to think there's no room for debate with all the specifics known here.

No room for debate on this one. Going for it is a no brainer.

[QUOTE=PerpetualCzech;8911]No room for debate on this one. Going for it is a no brainer.[/QUOTE] You and Fezzik have both brought up excellent points. :rolleyes: