Last night’s contest between the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills from Nashville, Tennessee was just the latest in a string of phenomenal prime time games in 2021. It was a thriller that came down to the final seconds of the game, with only a couple of yards standing between the Bills and a 5-1 record. On 3rd down, the Titans made a hell of a stuff on quarterback Josh Allen and stopped him inches short of converting. That set the Bills up at 4th & 1, or what was essentially 4th & inches. Bills head coach Sean McDermott decided to roll the dice and go for the win with his big shifty quarterback in the game instead of kicking the field goal that would’ve tied the game and sent these two teams into overtime. That set up this play:
High drama as BIG JEFF stuffs Josh Allen with a couple yards to go to seal the win for the #Titans WOW pic.twitter.com/ObmyoOFoYr
— SoBros Network (@SoBrosNetwork) October 19, 2021
Allen loses his footing and slips, but honestly, I’m not sure it would’ve mattered. Jeffery Simmons twitches inside, a move that the Titans executed successfully earlier in the game to bait the Bills into a false start. But, even with the Bills offensive line holding its water, Big Jeff lines up in the gap, gets lower than Dion Dawkins, and blows that gap up. I don’t know that Allen gets anywhere even if he doesn’t slip.
Because of that, folks are debating whether or not McDermott and company made the right call by going for it on 4th down. It’s easy to question the decision in hindsight because it didn’t work, but the Bills had every reason to think they could pick up a few inches. Now, if you want to question the execution or the play call, maybe you have an argument. Simmons did talk about how everyone on the Titans defense knew that Allen was going to run to his left, and they were ready for it. But, if Allen goes over the top and extends the ball, he probably converts. Or, there’s the possibility that they put the ball in the air. I mean, the Titans secondary was incredibly banged up at that point in the game, and they were allowing Bills receivers to find space all night. You’re telling me they couldn’t have picked up a few inches? I get it. But, the point is you’re going for those few inches with an offense that has a big physical runner at the quarterback position, and is leading the NFL in scoring.
Overtime would’ve been the safe play, sure – but stop and think about the way that game was going. If you’re McDermott, you don’t want overtime because that poses the risk of the Titans winning a coin flip and getting the ball to start – the way the Titans offense was playing, there was a strong likelihood that they punch it in and win the game without Allen and the Bills offense even getting the chance to put points on the board. So, if I’m on the sideline, I’m saying “hey – the likelihood of us converting inches is good enough that we should avoid the risk of the Titans getting the ball to start overtime.” That’s it for me. And, I think it’s absolutely the right call. It just so happens that the Titans were ready for it, and were able to execute on the defensive side of the ball.
This Bills coaching staff is solid – I dare say it’s the best in the league when you look at the work McDermott has done since coming to Buffalo, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll (who will undoubtedly be a head coach in the NFL before long), and the savvy experienced defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. I dare say they might’ve even sparked this team by going for it too. They’re setting a tone of aggressiveness, and players eat that stuff up. It was a tough break, but this Bills team is going to be just fine, and there is absolutely no reason to worried about this all-star coaching staff.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
