Icing the kicker

I was watching the Steelers/Jags game last night. I have a vested interest in the Steelers losing, that would be home field advantage for the Pats. That said, let me complain.

The steelers were lining up for the go ahead field goal with about 23 seconds left in the game. At this point the Jags still had 2 timeouts left. If the steelers hit this field goal, the Jags are going to need to take the the ball to the 40 yard line or so to have a decent field goal attempt to reclaim the lead and win the ball game. With 4 seconds left on the play clock, and it looked that the steelers may (or may not) need to quickly snap to get the field goal off, the Jags call a time out to 'freeze' the kicker. This would leave them the single time out. Instead the 'freeze' did not work, the kicker for the steelers absolutly nailed his field goal and the Steelers were ahead.

Now comes the kickoff. The Jags get a good return, to their own 39 but still need 30-40 yards for a good shot at a field goal. They are armed with only 1 time out. They complete a 19 yard pass to get it to the steelers 42 yard line. this forces them to use their final time out with 4 seconds remaining. It also leaves the only option a 60 yard field goal. Sure the field goal was long enough, but just wide right. It was a good attempt and if it had hit, we wouldn't be complaining. It didn't, so we must.

Maybe if they had a 2nd timeout the play call would have been different. maybe they are attempting a 50 yarder. We don't know, but we do know we are unhappy with the outcome. Maybe they use that 2nd timeout against the steelers when there was a minute left and the steelers let the clock tick down so that they coudl kick the field goal with 23 seconds left rather than 65 seconds. Coaches hate to use the timeouts when the other team has the ball and is in that deep.

The real problem in the game was the Jags inability to punch in for touchdowns when in the redzone, instead settling for field goals. Credit has to go to the Steelers defense for that. Steelers are a good team. Their win on the Pats is still debated as the Pats were decimated with injuries and missed Corey Dillon greatly. This debate will have to wait for the playoffs where the Steelers and Pats are expected to meet in the championship game.
- posted by Doug @ 1:04:00 PM