When it comes to midfield fourth-down attempts at critical junctures, the NFL’s play calling wisdom has changed — and there’s a reason for that: it’s easier than ever to move the football. So why defer? Why punt and force yourself to play defense? That’s the hard part!
On Monday night, Bill O’Brien reached way back into football’s archaic “How To Play The Game The Right Way!” coaching encyclopedia, opting to take his offense off the field on fourth and five with 3:02 left in regulation and give the ball back to the Oakland Raiders…who were winning by a touchdown…because they’d scored twice in the last six minutes…even though the Texans had the ball on the NFL shield.
Needless to say, the Houston Texans did not cause a three-and-out and lost, because duh. THE RAIDERS ARE REALLY GOOD AT GETTING 10 YARDS. But the real reason O’Brien decided not to go for it was fairly obvious: after having turned the ball over on downs with 6:31 to go, he didn’t want to embody the oft repeated definition of insanity. But the problem with O’Brien’s “fool me once” logic here, was that he’d wasted a timeout challenging the spot of the ball on said fourth-down rush, which left him with exactly one timeout remaining, meaning that when he eventually punted the ball with 3:02 left, he was asking his defense to prevent the Raiders from getting a first-down. I bet they really appreciated that.
In fact, not only was he asking a lot of his defense, O’Brien’s plan relied entirely on his offense being able to score a touchdown from deep within their own territory inside the two-minute warning. Nope, you guys can’t be trusted to gain five yards on a defense that was visibly gassed from having been on the field (at 7,400 feet, mind you) for virtually the entire fourth quarter (because the Raiders offense scored so quickly), but you’re gonna be responsible for traveling some 70-odd yards on them once they’ve gotten a breather. I bet they appreciated that, too.
You know who didn’t appreciate any of this? Texans fans…
They punted. Hahahahaha. They actually punted. I can not believe it. Bill O'Brien needs to take a drug test right after the game.
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) November 22, 2016
if @HoustonTexans don't fire Bill O' Brien after his call to punt on 4th and 5 with three minutes left in game, they deserve to be relocated
— Evan Buisson (@Evanbuisson) November 22, 2016
Bill O'Brien 4th down logic applied to parenting: to keep teenagers safe from drugs, lock them in a box in the basement until they're 30.
— Jake O'Donnell (@_JakeODonnell) November 22, 2016
Looking forward to Bill O'Brien's answers to the many questions about the punt. (Perhaps somebody will ask: Why?!?!) #HOUvsOAK #Texans #MNF pic.twitter.com/eFhJ00VQz0
— RealClearSports (@RealClearSports) November 22, 2016
Bill O'Brien could have 4th and 1 on the goal line of the Super Bowl and still punt it. #playitsafe
— 🦃 Hacksaw Smithers (@ewusigep252) November 22, 2016
That was legitimately one of the worst decisions I've ever seen Bill O'Brien make. Completely indefensible on multiple levels.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 22, 2016
Going to Bed.
The Refs were AWFUL Tonight.
But Can't believe Bill O'Brien decides to Punt in that Situation. #WeAreTexans— Steven Lazare (@Steevil_Knievel) November 22, 2016
Punt to lose, Bill O'Brien. You're facing the best offense in the league. You punt with 3 mins left? Wake up man. That's hilarious#Texans
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) November 22, 2016
Bill O'Brien was all like, "Screw winning…Mexico loves seeing balls getting kicked around Azteca! GIVE LA GENTE WHAT THEY WANT!"
— Jake O'Donnell (@_JakeODonnell) November 22, 2016
Houston Texans fan reaction on Bill O'Brien punting there
wait for it … wait for it …pic.twitter.com/Vs2nBjKBWz— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) November 22, 2016
So hang on..down by 7 you punt the ball with a timeout and the two minute warning? WOW Bill O'Brien! #Texans
— Chris Valday (@TheChrisPhoenix) November 22, 2016
On behalf of everyone who took Oakland-5.5 I'd like to send a big thank you to Bill O'Brien for that punt.
— Anthony Riccobono (@Tony_Riccobono) November 22, 2016
"You punt to win the game." – Bill O'Brien #MNF #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/1wU1mTsbGU
— Nuck Fuggets (@MatHouchens) November 22, 2016