Official Texans @ Redskins Game Thread, 9/19/2010

[HPF Bob]

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.

[TheMatrix31]

Its scary though, I mean, we're going to need a 50+ yarder at SOME point. Should we carry two kickers or something? It would be ridiculous to blow a roster spot on one but what if we come down to a playoff game and we need a 50+ yarder?

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

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,

Huh???

Neil Rackers, for his career is 19-of-39 from 50+.

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by dadmg

Huh???

Neil Rackers, for his career is 19-of-39 from 50+.

The announcer in the game mistakenly said his long was 49...which was Gano's long after one game.

Still, most of Rackers makes from 50+ occurred 5 years ago. He is 5 of 18 in the last 5 years.

[barrett]

Go for it on 4th down there. We gained 16 yards by punting. I am sure we have a 50% chance of converting a 4th and 4. Especially on a day we had over 500 yards of offense.

[Joshua]

I trust Kubiak to know what he can reasonably expect from Rackers and if he didn't think he could get it through the uprights, he made the right call.

If I were to second guess anything, it would be the 3rd down playcall. Presumably, Kubiak already knew on 3rd down that they would not try a field goal on 4th. Knowing this, you have to consider this potential 4 down territory, so I think you have to run the ball on 3rd and 4. Either Foster picks up the 1st or maybe only picks up 2 or 3 yards but that makes 4th down that much easier.

[barrett]

Like I said. Don't kick or punt. Go for it. When your offense has gained 500+ yards and your D has given up almost 500, I don't understand thinking you have a better chance of stopping the other guy than you do of picking up 4 yards. A gutless call that only worked out when their kicker blew the FG.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Joshua

If I were to second guess anything, it would be the 3rd down playcall. Presumably, Kubiak already knew on 3rd down that they would not try a field goal on 4th.

This is exactly what I was thinking. If your sense is you won't attempt a 50+ yard try then treat third down like you have two downs to pick up the first down yardage. You should be able to spread the field and run the ball and pick up the first without too much drama. I'm willing to gamble 15 yards on it.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by dadmg

Huh???

Neil Rackers, for his career is 19-of-39 from 50+.

My bad. However, it does show the following stats for 50+ for 2006-2009:

2006: one made out of seven attempts (14%)
2007: three made out of nine attempts (33%)
2008: one made out of two attempts (50%)
2009: no attempts.

Clearly, he's not a good bet outside 50 yards away.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

My bad. However, it does show the following stats for 50+ for 2006-2009:

2006: one made out of seven attempts (14%)
2007: three made out of nine attempts (33%)
2008: one made out of two attempts (50%)
2009: no attempts.

Clearly, he's not a good bet outside 50 yards away.

And he's not getting any younger either. I swear, when he runs/hobbles up to kick the ball, it looks like he's wearing Forrest Gump leg irons.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Yes, the winning FG was kicked in the same direction and appeared to have plenty of distance.

Kubiak said there was a lot of wind down at that end of the field so he didn't feel comfortable going for a 50+ yard FG. Obviously, attempting a 52-yard FG in the wind as opposed to a 35-yard FG in the wind are completely different decisions. I agree with you though on going for it instead. With Kubiak's past history, I was more shocked they didn't go for it than I was his decision to punt.