The Buffalo Bills beat the Los Angeles Rams on an overtime field goal from Tyler Bass. That’s great. But the decision to take the kick with two minutes left was a mistake, and head coach Joe Brady needs to know that.
There are two big reasons it was a mistake, so let’s get cracking.
Two minutes was enough time for the Rams to score after a miss
It all boils down to this; you add another negative possibility by kicking it with two minutes left. The Bills could have run it down to 30 seconds and kicked the same field goal attempt. In that case, you either win or tie and a loss isn’t on the table without a field goal block return (which could happen at the 2-minute mark, too). A couple of tush pushes and you run out the clock and don’t really have a ton of fumble concern. You don’t even need to hand it off.
A miss with two minutes and you know the Rams can drive it and score and you lose. They did it at the end of regulation.
Do you open yourself to another fumble? Sure. A false start could add five yards. But it mitigates the chance of a loss. And a tie is much better than a loss.
Tyler Bass already missed from closer in the game
Bass missed an extra point from 38 yards in the third quarter, but now we are trusting him to make a 44-yard field goal AND if he misses, the Rams have a chance to drive and score and win the game. This was no gimme. This is why running down the clock was the right call.
Some more notes on the game management
- The Bills still employ a game management specialist. Marc Lubick has been in that role for three seasons.
- The Rams absolutely bombed their game management. They probably should have gone for two at the end of regulation. The Bills had only stopped them on one play all game, it felt like.
- The Rams should not have settled for the long field goal in overtime for the same reason. Second and 10 at the Bills 35, they hit Puka Nacua for 5 yards. A weak run to the right gains nothing to set up a 47-yard field goal. Again, not a solid special teams year and he’s missed kicks that long already in the game.
- I have criticized a Bills head coach for an overtime decision before. In 2017, Sean McDermott punted in overtime when the Bills needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. With a third-string QB slinging it in a blizzard. The Bills ended up getting a stop and driving the length of the field for a win, but it was the wrong decision. And we were critical of McDermott’s game management for most of his career AND if bit them in the butt in 13 seconds and other moments later. That’s why we bring it up even when they win.
I am glad it went in. I am glad they won. Let’s do better next time.