In overtime on Thursday night, the Bengals faced a fourth down at the Dolphins’ 39-yard line, and coach Marvin Lewis had a decision:
Send out kicker Mike Nugent to try to win the game with a 57-yard field goal, or punt? Lewis opted to punt."
The Bengals, of course, went on to lose the game on their next offensive possession when Andy Dalton was sacked in the end zone for a safety, and that led to Lewis being questioned about why he didn’t trust Nugent to try to win the game for him. Lewis, however, believes he made the right call, even in hindsight.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...wis-defends-his-decision-to-punt-in-overtime/
Charles Barkley would call that decision "turrible"
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IMO he made the right decision .Odds are that that FG would not have been good giving the Dolphins great field position .The Dolphins reacted the same way favoring field position over a risky FG.
xphinfanx, Rocky Raccoon, gilv13 and 4 others like this. -
Given Sturgis' leg strength I would have definitely let him try a 57 yarder in that situation if the roles were reversed. In multiple years Mike Nugent has made 54-55 yard field goals- a 57 yarder is by no means a gimmee, but I recall thinking while watching the game that the Bengals should certainly go for it. And if Nugent missed I'd stand by that opinion. Nugent has plenty of leg for that kick, plus he had at least some breeze at his back irrc. In overtime, in that situation, you go for it. jmo
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Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member
I think he made the right decision. Nugent has a good leg and he proved it earlier in the game, but the game was totally on the line at that time. In OT, they still had time to get the ball again and move on us, as they had all of the 3rd and 4th qtr. I'd have made the same decision.
As to Sturgis, given his struggles, I would NOT have made that decision in the same spot as Cincy was, again based on the fact that there was still time... -
It was an understandable decision, and I'm a little surprised he's taking heat for it. Not only would it have been a very long FG, we weren't exactly setting the heather on fire offensively so he had every reason to think his D could stop us...which they did. As he says in the article, he wouldn't have been asked the question if they'd won.
There are a lot more more questionable coaching decisions in a season, or game, that deserve to challenged than that one. -
If I could turn the clock back I'd say "most likely" for Sturgis iin that earlier situation and "definitely" as per Nugent. You've got overtime iun an away game, a good kicker with strong leg, a breeze at your back, warm weather- I was shocked that Nugent wasn't sent out for the GD. Sturgis' nerves might be a little frayed after his recent misses, but he's got a big leg.
Personally, as per Sturgis late in the game I go for it. Nugent in OT- no doubt. I understand the arguments against, but I go for the kill right there. If the punt is a touchback you save what, 25 yards? Especially in an overtime away game, with a kicker who can make the kick, I go for it. Nugent's earlier 54 yarder had plenty of leg, this was just 3 yards further. Go for the kill, get out of dodge, go home with the win like a thief in the night. I'd take that chance, for sure. -
There is logic to that point of view, no doubt. But what I felt viscerally at the time-besides relief- was that I couldn't believe that in that situation they didn't go for it. And I feel that afterwards, obviously. Nugent has enough leg for that kick- in that situation, let him kick it to win it. 57 yarder, field position, Dolphins offense, I get all of that. Nonetheless, I was shocked that a punter was sent onto the field in that situation, not Nugent to win it. It wasn't freezing cold out with the football as hard as a rock, there was a breeze blowing in the Bengals favor, it's midnight on a nationally televised Thursday night away game somewhere around midnight- kick the damn ball to win the game. As always, jmo
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I was relieved to see them opting to punt because if they chose to kick it he wouldnt have missed. Psychic ? no,just a Dolphins fan.
BayAreaFinFan likes this. -
I agree with Lewis, the same people that are complaining about him not going for the FG are the same people that would rip him for them missing it and giving Miami a short field and lose the game because of it. There is a big difference in attempting a 57 yard FG in regulation (with out the worry of giving a short field) apposed to OT and handing the ball over at the 46.
Marco, MikeHoncho and GMJohnson like this. -
Whether you're giving up the the ball in OT at the 10, 20 or 46 yard line, you're taking a huge chance- all factors considered, I unwaveringly say kick the field goal in that situation. That doesn't meant that I don't understand or respect contrary points of view.
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I think it was a good call.......because the Dolphins ended up winning!
On a more serious note, I can see why Lewis made that decision. The wind looked pretty "whippy" out there. There was plenty of time left, and you gain the field position. You have a top-5 defense and have to have faith that they can stop Miami's O. -
There is a HUGE difference in risk on where you give the ball up in OT or at the end of regulation if you miss a FG and give a short field with time left to drive. Miami got the ball on the 14 yard line, gained 46 yards (PI call) equate that to the 46 yard line where Miami would have been after a missed FG instead of the 14. Granted would the same plays have been called? Who knows but I bet that deep pass to Wallace was planned for a while. But regardless at the 46 you need what, 20-25 yards to make a safe FG? thats a hell of a lot of difference then the 56 Miami needed. Which they didnt get BTW and Miami had to punt and because of one of the best punters in the NFL Miami pinned them deep that lead to the game winning safety.
So we will agree to disagree, but if people wanna get mad at Lewis then maybe they should get mad that his QB froze missed a crossing pattern that was wide open and took a safety. but JMO -
He's catching grief because the 54 yard FG had lots of room to spare. I still think he did the right thing, play the odds. 99 times out of 100 that safety isn't happening.
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In your opinion.
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Wasn't 54 Nugent's career long? I don't blame him for not going for the 57 yarder.
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Nugent already made, what, a 55 yarder earlier? IMO that bodes well for him making a 57 at that point. The earlier long kick meant he was dialed in and should be able to do it again. Sturgis had been struggling in recent weeks. I can more understand the Dolphins punting in that situation. When you are sure Sturgis has his mojo back, then yeah, try the FG. If he'd been perfect in regulation, or one of his good kicks was over 50, then I'd have let him try too more likely. Philbin was also dealing with an exhausted defense and had to account for that. Lewis's defense was comparatively fresh. 30 fewer snaps.jim1 likes this.
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Probably the right call but I was really scared he was going let him try and they would win the game.
jim1 likes this. -
finfansince72 Season Ticket Holder Club Member
Um they got the ball back....he made the right call. Anyone that doesn't understand that is out there. He trusted his defense and they came through. Offense gave up the safety, thats not on coaching. Dalton threw 2 or 3 passes that were terrible rookie throws if anyone is singled out its him, he made some turrible decisions that cost his team points.
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I was really surprised that both teams passed on their FG attempts. If I was Philbin I would have went for the 57 yarder considering the defense had been out there for 90 plays.
jim1 likes this. -
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Until he misses...gives Cinci great field position where they easily move into a short field goal.........and then you'd be here ripping them for trying it with a struggling kicker.