Flashback - Best & Worst Decisions and Execution
2021 Regular Season, Week 3
BEST Decisions - BAL @ DET
The Ravens vs Lions game gave us one of the weekend’s most exciting finishes.
With 1:04 remaining in the 4th quarter and trailing by 1 point, the Ravens faced a 1st and 10 at their own 25-yard line, with no timeouts. Needing a field goal to win, the Ravens had a win probability of 42%. Three plays later and with only 26 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, the Ravens faced a 4th and 19 from their own 16-yard line and a win probability of only 15%.
Unfazed, QB Lamar Jackson calmly completed a 36-yard pass to WR Sammy Watkins and the Ravens hustled to the line and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 7 seconds remaining. On 2nd down, there was the Ravens appeared torn between attempting a FG or running another play in an attempt to gain a few more yards, and make the FG attempt more likely. Ultimately, they ran another plays that resulted in an incomplete pass and set up K Justin Tucker for an NFL record 66-yard attempt. At this point, the Ravens had a win probability of 6% win.
Tucker showed why he’s the NFL’s best kicker with his attempt that had just enough distance – it bounced off the cross bar on its way through the uprights, giving the Ravens the win!
WORST Decisions - SF @ GB
The 49ers vs Packers game came down to another last-second field goal finish.
In this game, Coach Shanahan made three decisions that cost the Packers -13% in (pre-snap) win probability. Based on our how these teams match up and the game states:
- Q1 with 2:03 remaining. Trailing by 10, SF faced a 4th and 1 from the SF 34. Punt cost them -4%.
- Q2 with 5:00 remaining. Trailing by 10, SF faced a 4th and 1 from the GB 49. Punt cost them -5%.
- Q3 with 4:32 remaining. Trailing by 3, SF faced a 4th and 3 from the SF 35. Punt cost them -4%.
Each of these punt decisions also came with the implicit decision to give the ball back to QB Aaron Rogers – two of the three subsequent drives resulted in TDs by the Packers. These decision-making errors played a big part in the 49ers loss.
Notable NCAA Games of the Week
Duke vs Kansas
On their first drive of the 2nd half the Blue Devils took possession at their own 25-yard line, trailing the Jayhawks by 6 points, and a win probability of 33%. On this drive the Blue Devils scored a TD and never looked back; this drive increased Duke’s win probability by +18%. The biggest play of the drive was a 53-yard pass completion from Holmberg to Durant that increased their win probability by +9%.
Later in this quarter the Blue Devils defense also made a big play. LB Hayward’s interception increased their win probability by +12%, going from 76% to 88%.
Congrats to Duke and the 52-33 victory!
Georgia Tech vs North Carolina
With 14:09 remaining in the 2nd quarter the Yellow Jackets forced (and recovered) a Tar Heels fumble and returned it to the NC 10-yard line, increasing their win probability +13%, going from 36% to 49%.
In the 3rd quarter with 11:25 remaining, the Yellow Jackets defense stopped the Tar Heels offense on a 4th and 1 attempt, increasing their win probability +9%. And, on the ensuing possession the Yellow Jackets offense scored a TD, increasing their win probability by another +9%. In this short span of plays, the Georgia Tech win probability went from 67% to 85%.
Congrats to Georgia Tech and the 45-22 victory!
Notable High School Games of the Week
San Jacinto Tigers (CA) vs, Beaumont Cougars (CA)
With 9:55 remaining in the 3rd quarter and trailing the Cougars by 8 (14-22) the Tigers faced a 4th & 6 at the Cougars 12-yd line.
Coach Galliano and the Tigers made the correct decision to go for it, increasing their (pre-snap) win-probability by +3%. As result of this decision AND the actual play execution, the Tigers increased their win probability by +17% (they scored a TD on the play). This proved to be the turning point in the game.
Great job Coach Galliano!