All articles tagged with #fourth down
Patrick Mahomes connected on a 45-yard deep ball to Tyquan Thornton, then rolled right on fourth down to hit Jalen Royals for a 1-yard TD, capping a 14-play, 80-yard drive to give the Chiefs a 24-20 lead over the Colts with 8:01 left in the third quarter; the Chiefs converted two fourth-down plays on the possession.
Cleveland coach Todd Monken’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 34 with 2:50 left in the second quarter was stuffed, allowing Tampa Bay to set up a field-goal drive and take a 9-6 halftime lead as Chase McLaughlin hit his third field goal of the half. Baker Mayfield’s stat line (9-of-15 for 45 yards with an interception) reflected a Browns offense that struggled, while Cleveland’s defense had moments but the Browns couldn’t sustain drives.
In Week 1, Green Bay blew a double-digit lead against Minnesota after a risky 4th-and-1 call, triggering renewed scrutiny of Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff. The loss highlighted offensive line struggles and a defense repeatedly placed in poor field position, raising questions about closing games despite LaFleur’s recent contract extension.
After Oregon’s 39-31 upset at Oklahoma State, the TV broadcast left out Dan Lanning taking full responsibility for the defeat, Jamari Johnson’s sidelined status and on-field catch with Dante Moore, and Cowboys fans’ taunts online and on the field, all unfolding as Oregon’s 12-game road win streak ended and they prepared for a quick turnaround vs Portland State.
A growing analytics-driven trend pushes teams to go for it on fourth down in opponent territory, with NFL teams converting about 57% and attempting 34% of such plays in 2025—the highest rate this century. The pattern is illustrated by the Broncos’ playoff gamble, the Patriots’ success, and Indiana’s national title via a fourth-down conversion. While analytics argue it increases win probability, critics like Mike Martz warn the emphasis on numbers can erode football’s human element.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said fourth-down decisions are driven by predicting the flow of the game and how many points will be necessary to win. He noted coaches must weigh point value late in games and cited the AFC Championship context where Broncos coach Sean Payton went for it on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal, highlighting how factors like a backup quarterback and weather influence whether to kick or go for it.
Booger McFarland criticized Sean Payton’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Broncos’ 14 in the AFC Championship, arguing a 31-yard field goal would have extended the lead in worsening weather; he also questioned Sean McVay’s 4th-and-4 call at the Seahawks’ 6 late, suggesting a field goal would have put Seattle under pressure. The piece discusses the clash between analytics and in-game feel on Championship Sunday and suggests there’s validity to both coaches’ aggressive choices given the context.
In the conference championship games, late fourth-down decisions and special-teams miscues shaped the outcomes: Rams coach Sean McVay's two questionable calls contributed to a 31-27 loss to the Seahawks, while the Broncos were undone by a snow-influenced, blocked field goal after a costly fourth-down attempt against the Patriots; a muffed punt by the Rams also set up a Seahawks score, underscoring how coaching and special teams decided the weekend's results.
Denver’s AFC Championship run ended 10-7 after costly in-game decisions by Sean Payton—especially going for it on 4th down instead of kicking a field goal—along with a key shovel-pass fumble by backup QB Jarrett Stidham, with winter weather amplifying mistakes and preventing Denver from capitalizing before the Patriots head to the Super Bowl.
Denver's Sean Payton faced a pivotal second-quarter decision in the AFC Championship, opting to go for it on fourth-and-1 with Jarrett Stidham instead of kicking a field goal; the gamble helped the Patriots win 10-7, and Payton attributes the loss to that choice, taking responsibility himself.
In the NFC Championship, Rams coach Sean McVay described Seattle’s defense as having a 'fortuitous bust' on the decisive fourth-down from the Rams’ six, with Kyren Williams bottled up as Seattle used a cover-0 blitz and eight in coverage, leaving L.A. with 93 yards and 25 seconds to go after the failed conversion.
After Jacksonville’s controversial fourth‑and‑2 call in the postseason loss to Buffalo, fans debate whether points should have been taken while Trevor Lawrence delivers a strong showing and Parker Washington shines. The Jaguars’ 13‑4 season ended in a gut‑punch, sparking pride mixed with heartbreak as aggressive playcalling and late mistakes dominated the discussion.
The article highlights key plays that contributed to the Cowboys' 30-23 victory over Washington, including crucial fourth-down conversions, a remarkable tackle by Quinnen Williams, and strategic plays like a short pass to Lamb leading to a long touchdown, all of which played a vital role in the game's outcome.
Both the Commanders and Chiefs emphasized the importance of fourth down plays in their game, with the Commanders failing to convert twice and the Chiefs succeeding, which Coach Dan Quinn and Andy Reid highlighted as key factors in the Chiefs' 28-7 victory.
The Detroit Lions successfully converted four out of five fourth-down attempts in their Week 14 victory over the Green Bay Packers, showcasing strategic play-calling and execution. Key plays included a well-timed Texas route for a touchdown, a quarterback sneak, and a tempo play that confused the Packers' defense. Despite one failed attempt due to execution errors, the Lions sealed the win with a decisive run by David Montgomery, highlighting their offensive line's strength and strategic prowess.