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Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles
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Reich DID play for the win before that 4th down situation, and that is what is being ignored by some who simply want to judge the decision as if it were made in a vacuum.
After the Texans tied the game with a field goal in overtime, the Colts immediately threw the ball and got a first down with a 12 yard gain. At that point, there was 1:22 left to play, and the Texans only had 1 timeout left. If Reich was going to play for the tie, he could have called for 3 conservative running plays, and run the clock out. He DID NOT do that. He continued to have Luck aggressively throw the ball downfield to try to get into field goal range for the win. Once it was 4th down and 4 from their own 43 yard-line, the stakes had changed considerably. After having tried to win the game by being aggressive on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd downs, it probably would have been wise to salvage a tie at at that point because of the risk/reward factors that were now in play in regard to the decision to either punt or go for it.
There is being aggressive, and there is being foolish and low-percentage/high risk. Continuing to throw the ball downfield with a little over a minute to play was aggressive and pro-active, and that is what the Colts did. Punting on 4th and 4 from your own 43 yard-line would not have been passive and meek, it would have been accepting the reality (and the risk-reward factors) of the situation.
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Of course he played for the win. I said that and agree with you.
And maybe it would have been better to punt and just take the tie in that situation
But in the long run, again, I'd rather have the coach playing to win vs. playing to tie or not to lose.
We know Reich would have gone for it on 4th and 1 from the 41 in OT, unlike Garrett, because we saw him do it in a much riskier situation already. It does answer many questions about his philosophy and play calling.
Is it too risky? There is that concern and we will see.
Also the play on 4th down in OT should have worked. What killed it was yet another dropped pass.
Reich is not the one holding back this offense. Its certainly not like in years past where it seems the play calls were doomed from the start or just made no sense. And he won't be holding back offensively when trying to close out games, we know that.