I think Kubiak knew Rackers was not reliable from 50+ yards, having never kicked one in real NFL competition. He chose to punt whereas I would have tried to go for it on 4th and 4,
From the 35, if you fail on fourth down, the Redskins take it over from that spot on an incomplete. If you miss the FG, they take it over at the 42 where the theoretical kick would be tried.
The punt went into the end zone and the Redskins took over at the 20.
If Houston goes for it and succeeds on fourth down, maybe they wind up with something like a 45-yd FG for the win if they can make 7 yards.
Obviously, if he tried the long FG and succeeds, the game is over. So, it's a risk-reward equation. The punt is the safest play but you may not get the ball back. The FG was the riskiest play but you can end the game right there. Going for it would have been the middle ground but, if you succeed, you are almost sure of a better FG try.
Yes, the winning FG was kicked in the same direction and appeared to have plenty of distance.
We won so it's all smiles but if Washington won on their FG try, Kubiak would have had a lot of second-guessing.
|