The New York Giants faced an interesting dilemma. The Giants were so close to the end zone they could taste it on the one yard line. The Giants could either leave the offense out on the field with just over a minute and a half to play, which would give the Giants a chance to win the game right there.
The Giants instead elected to go for the field goal. The field goal extended the Giants lead to 26-20, forcing the Cowboys to get into the end zone on their final drive. The Giants ended up losing the game to the Cowboys by one point. The Cowboys scored with seven seconds remaining in the game.
The Giants would have been gambling in any scenario here. If they had gone for it the Cowboys could still win the game with a touchdown if they didn’t get it and would only need a field goal to take it to overtime. But if the Giants hadn’t gotten the touchdown on the fourth and goal play, the Cowboys would have had to travel the entire length of the field to beat them with 1:34 remaining.
Either decision could have ended up looking like the wrong one. That being said it is frustrating that the Giants didn’t go for the touchdown on fourth and goal. Going for it would have given them an opportunity that the field goal didn’t present, winning the game on that play. In either scenario the defense is going to have to trot onto the field and make a stop.
By kicking off after a field goal the Cowboys started their drive at their 28 yard line instead of their own one yard line. By kicking it off after a field goal the Cowboys were able to check down to Lance Dunbar against soft zone coverage on two plays for 40 yards. You gave Romo the opportunity to catch fire and end the game with a Cowboys win.
Not going for it is playing not to lose. Going for it is playing to win. Not going for it ends up making it easier for the Cowboys to beat you. Therefore not going for the touchdown was quite arguably a poor decision. The Giants should have gone for the touchdown.
Next: Giants Lose Heartbreaker 27-26