Should McVay have gone for it?

[Zaphod]

To be honest, I was nervous that he might go for it.

That crowd noise was definitely having an impact on the game.

Then there is our red zone scoring percentage, which is a relatively different story from other aspects of our offensive ranking.

But situationally, it seemed that McVay was already trying to maximize his chances from the first down, as opposed to a progressive series where one play sets up the next, the failure of his red zone attempts being the field goal.

So, in that light, from my own observation, it almost seemed like he was about to panic and go for it, which he thankfully did not.

The confidence we have in our special teams is a really cool dynamic, which made the game winning field goal just epic to me.

 

[Ellard80]

We won - so it was the right call.

 

[Dea]

This is one of those calls that would have been dissected if the Rams lost. Facing 4th and season, McVay went with his gut and ended up making the right decision. At the time, I personally wanted them to go for it because bold moves seem to be our trademark but it all worked out in the end

 

[SoCalRam78]

We won - so it was the right call.

It was not the right call and he got away with it. In those instances, I always think even if you're stuffed, they have the ball at the 1 and the Rams' d was playing well.

 

[Cory]

I said we should have gone for it from the beginning and us winning still hasn’t changed my mind. The saints have shown the ability to march down the field and bleed the clock. I didn’t want to give them the ball and only need a FG to win it. I felt there was no guarantee we would get the ball back with enough time to score.

Id take the worst case scenario of them at the one if we couldn’t convert it.

 

[GBRam15]

I wanted him to go for it, although the point regarding the crowd noise does make sense. I know it would have been huge not to convert, but I liked the idea of going up 4 and forcing the Saints to have to score a TD. I don't remember where the refs placed the ball, but it looked like CJ Anderson got at least to the half yard line on 3rd down. Had it been 4th and 2 or so, then there is no way you go for it. 4th and half a yard is not a sure thing, but I really would have liked our odds had McVay gone for it.

 

[tklongball]

Completely different situation than last week. In that situation you tie the game, period. If a guy shoots a gap and blows up the run play, you are down 3, and now the crowd will completely drown you out if you get the ball back. I was actually surprised that Buck and Aikman were actually talking as if going for it were a real possibility.

I know a lot of fans were wanting McVay to go for it, and that is understandable from a fan's perspective, but no way you go for that as a coach. Not with the Superbowl on the line. Hats off to McVay for again making the right call.

 

[Giles]

Nah take the points.

 

[Ellard80]

It was not the right call and he got away with it. In those instances, I always think even if you're stuffed, they have the ball at the 1 and the Rams' d was playing well.

It was also the right call because they had been stuffing our run game all day.

 

[rams1fan]

I would have gone for it. You miss and you leave them at the one yard line and still have five minutes.

 

[JoeBo21]

Chance to go up 4 with 4 min left you absolutely go for it. Was closer then where we were last week against the cowboys. I have full confidence they would of gotten it with a qb sneak or C.J.

If you don’t get it the Saints are inside their own 1 yard line

 

[EasyE]

on the road, wild crowd...one yard from the win...if not successful, pins them deep...go...

but what do I know!

 

[nighttrain]

one complete pass by Brees to Thomas and the game could turn upside down, right call
by McVay
train

 

[yrba1]

Yes, I can understand McVay going for if our defense was still in regular season form.

 

[shaunpinney]

hmm - If I was the Rams HC.

If this was a season game and we're 10-2 I'd have gone for it, see if I can get CJ to Ram through or Jared to see if he can squeeze up Sullivan's ass for a yard or two.

BUT.

We were in the playoffs, a knock out competition and down by only 3. I would have done the exact same call, level the points, because that instantly demoralises the opposition who were leading. I have faith in GZ taking a FG indoor from 60ish yards comfortably, so I call out my D and say "you stop them f***ers from scoring" and leave the rest to us and our elite ST squad.

Our Red Zone completion has not been good or reliable this year...

 

[shaunpinney]

I know a lot of fans were wanting McVay to go for it, and that is understandable from a fan's perspective, but no way you go for that as a coach. Not with the Superbowl on the line. Hats off to McVay for again making the right call.

It did show a level, mature head from McVay, I know he's been criticised a bit around the place for being a bit pass happy and gung ho - but that call showed me had faith in his team and that his big brass cahuna's are nicely polished!

 

[Kevin]

Watching the Colin Cowherd show. He said it was smart to kick the fg because scoring a TD would put the Saints in four down situations the rest of the game.

 

[Ellard80]

Watching the Colin Cowherd show. He said it was smart to kick the fg because scoring a TD would put the Saints in four down situations the rest of the game.

I never thought of that.. very true. Though I'm not sure if McVay was thinking of that.

 

[FarNorth]

I wanted to go for it, just like they did against Dallas with the same call to Anderson, however, the announcers brought up a good point, to lineup and call the play with the noise and have everyone moving in cohesion might have factored into the decision.

Agree, you can't go for it on the road in that situation.

 

[Ram65]

I just watched the replay. Really tough call. The ball was so close. Everything else says to kick the FG. There was 5:03 remaining after the FG. That's a lot of time for the Rams to get the ball back if the Saints score and score again. Crowd noise and the defense playing well had to be influences too. I could see going for it too but, I wouldn't second guess either call.