04/19/24
January 24, 2022
'13 Seconds' Joins 'Wide Right' and 'Music City Miracle': The Buffalo Bills have a new addition to their catchphrase ring of misery. Patrick Mahomes only had 13 seconds to drive the Kansas City Chiefs down the field for a game-tying field goal and deny the Bills a trip to the AFC Championship game.
This game was the only one that I was able to watch over the weekend. I love sports when I don't have a rooting interest other than just a good, competitive game and this one ticked those boxes.
I guess I'm in the minority that the sudden death overtime rule that the NFL currently has is just fine? I mean, if you don't want to lose the game without ever possessing the ball, then stop the other team from scoring. Buffalo had two chances to stop KC's offense, but failed on both turns.
posted by NoMich at 08:16 AM on January 25, 2022
I don't think the squib kick helps the Bills.
Kicking it short was really the play. Plop the ball inside the 5-yard line and KC either fair catches and has an extra 20 yards to go or tries to turn up field and kills about 4 seconds while ending up right back at the same 25-yard line that the Chiefs got after the touchback anyway.
Either way, the choice to go with a soft, prevent-style defense was absolutely killer. KC just needed a FG, why are you defending the home run?!
Excited to see these two teams battle it out for the next decade.
posted by Goyoucolts at 11:06 AM on January 25, 2022
I think Goyoucolts has it nailed WRT the squib kick. Either that additional 10-20 yards or kick return time probably take the option of a FG to win off the table. Though how did the Bills allow a 30-yard play on the penultimate snap??
I guess I'm in the minority that the sudden death overtime rule that the NFL currently has is just fine?
My initial reaction was to be disappointed that so much seemed to hinge on the coin toss here. However, with the requirement of the first team to score a TD and the fact that the Bills really blew the golden opportunity to stop the game from going to OT in the first place, I'm over it. I think you could entertain going to a full quarter for OT, however, any OT is extraordinarily taxing on the players, so the teams do not want the games to be any longer than they need to be. I think OT is probably as good as it can be as-is.
posted by bender at 11:29 AM on January 25, 2022
An NFL coach long ago said "The only thing prevent defenses prevent is winning" and it's still true.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:08 PM on January 25, 2022
To echo the thoughts of others--I think OT is just fine. The game wasn't decided by a coin toss. It was decided by a coin toss paired with a touchdown drive.
posted by tahoemoj at 05:03 PM on January 25, 2022
I guess I'm in the minority that the sudden death overtime rule that the NFL currently has is just fine?
It's fine but it could be better. I would like to get rid of the coin flip though. No change in possession at the end of the game. If KC just hit a field goal to tie it, they now have to kick off. Keep the rest of the OT rules. I think you'd get fairer outcomes.
posted by tron7 at 11:05 AM on January 26, 2022
That's not unreasonable.
posted by bender at 11:38 AM on January 26, 2022
If there's no change in possession, does that mean a team that reaches their own 45 when time expires has the ball at that line to start OT?
posted by rcade at 04:51 PM on January 26, 2022
Yeah, it would be like the end of the 1st quarter as opposed to the end of the half. I don't see any unfairness in that. Both teams got a kickoff to start a half. If they have the ball at the end of regulation and it's tied, it's still their turn.
posted by tron7 at 05:39 PM on January 26, 2022
That game was one for the ages. I am still adjusting to the reality that it happened.
I don't think the squib kick helps the Bills. The clock doesn't start until a receiving player touches the ball and he has the option of immediately giving himself up.