Some Outrageous 4th Down Scenarios

Is it just me or do you all see stupid coaching decisions when it comes to going for it on 4th down? I guess I am old fashioned and not into analytics but this weekend showcased a number of games (both college and NFL) where teams are going for 4th down in stupid, stupid scenarios costing gamblers.  The prime example of course was last night in the Cowboys-Philly game - wtf was McCarthy thinking going for 4th down from their 30-something yard line...I think it was like 4th and 2 and they didn't get it and Philly scored albeit only a 3 point FG.  Green Bay game - Green Bay went for 4th down like twice , once on their side of the field and Jets promptly ran it down their throats scoring on the ensuing possessions.  Arizona Cardinals game - they are down 9 i think and they had the ball deep in Seattle territory with 10 mins to go and instead of kicking a FG they go for 4th down and get stopped.  WTF....there are other examples as well i saw this weekend and in other games earlier this season.,

I am all for being aggressive but this is bordering on plain stupidity and causing us money LOL.  Screw analytics , you need to have a feel of the game as well and i feel coaches today have lost that "feel for the game" - if you team is not playing well or historically not good on 4th down , punt it and live to fight another down rather than losing momentum and/or giving points away.

What do you all think?

I miss the old days where teams kicked 30 yard field goals religiously and punted the ball at midfield. Now coaches try to kick 60 yard field goals and never kick field goals inside the 20 lmao 

i think its funny how people wrack their brain trying to figure out a rigged game 

@Martylee

It's like coaches think they're playing a Madden video game - Go for it !!!  Drives me nuts.

I think teams should only attempt 2-point conversions late in the 4th quarter when it's obvious how many scoring chances are left and points needed to win.  Rather than say in the 2nd quarter when it's 12 to 14 and they go for 2 just to make it a nice and even 14 to 14. Just take the easy point. Field goals happen, safeties happen, missed extra points happen... there's way too much time left to risk a free point.

And then going for it on 4th down at mid-field regardless of the time or score.?. Have a little faith in your defense.

Seems nearly all teams are doing this stuff nowadays and it's biting most them in the ass.

If you're betting the NFL now the going for it in 4th down trend and going for 2 at weird times trend is creating crazy variance that just wasn't as common in times past.

I miss the old days, too. It's actually high time we all see the league for what it is and that is they want crazy down to the wire everything. If you want to keep gambling on this ahit then, you have to accept that no lead is ever safe, and you are more than ever at the risk of erratic coaching decisions and questionable calls which are all serving the purpose of entertaining viewing and not gambling - unless you like sweating out every single game even a blowout like last night.

But... nothing to see here folks. Move along.

Nothing fishy going on .. nope.....

@GMoneyGTown

U only pointing out the failed 4th down attempts..what about the converted ones?  There is a reason why analytics say to go for it...Because you have a higher probability of converting than not converting it...If it was not converting at a high rate..the analytics % would not say go for it... All everyone will talk about is the failed conversions..not the converted ones that won them the game. I am not agreeing with those decisions and its why these coaches get paid $millions....its to win football games...

I can understand the analytical approach in baseball and maybe basketball. They have a 162 and 82 games for the numbers to even out. 

Football there is only 17 games, your decisions Have massive consequences. 

Also I won’t make 4 th decision in the first quarter take the 3 points . You miss and then you are chasing 3 the whole games. Be risking when it’s gonna win you the game immediately 

Good points everyone.  You are right Davemsh that i am only pointing out the failed ones and not the successful ones but damn how many of you agreed with the Cowboys going for it on 4th on or about their 30something yard line and I don't how good their defense is? That cost them 3 points.  I mean if the analytics there told McCarthy to go for it then somebody is inputting the wrong data for the analytics to say go for it in that situation.