Why don't coaches go for two

[GiveMeaBJ]

When you are up 1 point and you score to go up 7 pending the point after why not go for two? If you have confidence in your offense and make it you know go from up 8 to 9 and make it a two possession game. If you don't make it your up 7 and the other team won't go for two to take the lead and if they do you have to have confidence in your defense. Also when down 24 why do teams not go for two every time they score? Just by kicking an extra point you change it from a 3 possession game to a 4 possession game. 8+8+8=24, 7+7+7=21+3=24. When you are up by 9 and you score why not go for two to make it 17?

Also I feel like coaches don't know if and when to use timeouts. My thing is when it gets down to under one minute you call a timeout after every play where the clock continues to run until you have one left. Then you save that for when the clock is getting too low to get a play off. So many times you see coaches with 2 timeouts in their pockets get to the 50 yard line and not call a timeout with a minute left letting the clock run down to like 40 seconds. Why? The next pass could be incomplete, someone could get hurt, you could get out of bounds, why save that timeout and lose the 20 seconds?

These things piss me off when I am high and watching a game and it makes sense to me. What could possibly go wrong?

[Boner_18]

What could possibly go wrong?

You miss and get nothing.

[GiveMeaBJ]

You miss and get nothing.

But in the given situations how could it hurt?

[Dirty Sanchez]

Sometimes I think it has to do with the momentum thing....but the so called analysts mention there's a card that coaches follow....kind of like those Blackjack cheatsheats when to hit or not.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

When you are up 1 point and you score to go up 7 pending the point after why not go for two? If you have confidence in your offense and make it you know go from up 8 to 9 and make it a two possession game. If you don't make it your up 7 and the other team won't go for two to take the lead and if they do you have to have confidence in your defense. Also when down 24 why do teams not go for two every time they score? Just by kicking an extra point you change it from a 3 possession game to a 4 possession game. 8+8+8=24, 7+7+7=21+3=24. When you are up by 9 and you score why not go for two to make it 17? Also I feel like coaches don't know if and when to use timeouts. My thing is when it gets down to under one minute you call a timeout after every play where the clock continues to run until you have one left. Then you save that for when the clock is getting too low to get a play off. So many times you see coaches with 2 timeouts in their pockets get to the 50 yard line and not call a timeout with a minute left letting the clock run down to like 40 seconds. Why? The next pass could be incomplete, someone could get hurt, you could get out of bounds, why save that timeout and lose the 20 seconds? These things piss me off when I am high and watching a game and it makes sense to me. What could possibly go wrong?

In your first circumstance the only reason a team would go for 2 when there up 7( to make it a 2 possession game) would be if htey absolutely had no faith in their defense. You kick the extra point to be up 8 so your defense basically has 2 chances to stop them. First by stopping them from getting a TD, secondly on the two point conversion if one should occur. To go for it in that situation and fail would mean potential overtime and if im a coach id rather force a team to score on my D and score a two point conversion then try to put the game away myself with a 2 point conversion.

In your 2nd example when a team is down 24 why not go for 2. Well it makes no sense. You'd have to go 3/3 on 2 point conversions to make it worthwhile, if oyu fail even once it becomes a 4 possession game. 2 point conversions historically are only successful some 42% of the time, so going 3/3 is not likely.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

When you are up by 9 and you score why not go for two to make it 17?
This would be the only circumstance where i agree with you it makes sense. If oyur successful you make it a 3 possession game if your unsuccessful its still a 2 posession game whether you fail or kick the XP

[Bostongambler]

Although I hear where you are coming from. It is rule of thumb to take the point. Just like when teams miss and then they start to chase points.gl

[GiveMeaBJ]

In your first circumstance the only reason a team would go for 2 when there up 7( to make it a 2 possession game) would be if htey absolutely had no faith in their defense. You kick the extra point to be up 8 so your defense basically has 2 chances to stop them. First by stopping them from getting a TD, secondly on the two point conversion if one should occur. To go for it in that situation and fail would mean potential overtime and if im a coach id rather force a team to score on my D and score a two point conversion then try to put the game away myself with a 2 point conversion.

Yea but aren't you arguing against yourself? Wouldn't going for it show faith in your defense? Because if you don't get it you say "well we can stop you anyway". Or show that you don't need the two chances for your defense? I'm not saying this has to happen only in the 4th quarter. If I am up 7-6 going into half I am just going to go for two and make it 15-6.

In your 2nd example when a team is down 24 why not go for 2. Well it makes no sense. You'd have to go 3/3 on 2 point conversions to make it worthwhile, if youu fail even once it becomes a 4 possession game. 2 point conversions historically are only successful some 42% of the time, so going 3/3 is not likely.

Going 3/3 is not likely obviously but why not take the chance. Much quicker to score 3 times then 4. Either way your not likely to win but I think going for the twos gives you the better chance. As long as you get 1 out of the first two you are no worse then you would be had you gone the other way.

[GiveMeaBJ]

Although I hear where you are coming from. It is rule of thumb to take the point. Just like when teams miss and then they start to chase points.gl

Yea but everyone is playing by the same rules. Everyone does everything the same. Who is going to deflate a team with 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter by scoring and going for two to put them up 9?

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

Yea but aren't you arguing against yourself? Wouldn't going for it show faith in your defense? Because if you don't get it you say "well we can stop you anyway". Or show that you don't need the two chances for your defense? I'm not saying this has to happen only in the 4th quarter. If I am up 7-6 going into half I am just going to go for two and make it 15-6.

No because going for it would mean you feel you have to score the 2 point conversion to secure the game. This is pretty simple and not even arguable any coach would rather his defense have 2 shots to stop a team and at the worst go to overtime. Then only have 1 shot to stop them and if you allow a TD overtime is forced.

If you had faith in your defense you would simply kick the XP and be up 8 and know they will stop the other team. It makes no sense to go for it and if you fail leave it a 1 possession game.

[GiveMeaBJ]

No because going for it would mean you feel you have to score the 2 point conversion to secure the game. This is pretty simple and not even arguable any coach would rather his defense have 2 shots to stop a team and at the worst go to overtime. Then only have 1 shot to stop them and if you allow a TD overtime is forced.

If you had faith in your defense you would simply kick the XP and be up 8 and know they will stop the other team. It makes no sense to go for it and if you fail leave it a 1 possession game.

Different thoughts. Your thinking like a coach. I'm thinking like a confident asshole. It's two yards, get it, let's go home.

[GiveMeaBJ]

If you get the two you win.
If you don't you go to overtime IF they score a TD.
If you kick the XP you can still go to overtime.

Just think 2 point conversions should be considered more. If I am going against a real good offense I go for two.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

Different thoughts. Your thinking like a coach. I'm thinking like a confident asshole. It's two yards, get it, let's go home.

Its just logical it dosent matter if you have the 03 ravens D or The Buffalo Bills D today, you kick the XP in that circumstance

[pavyracer]

Going for 2 from the 2 yard line has less than 40% conversion rate. Shit hits the fan when you don't convert it and bites you in the ass later in the game.

[RudyRuetigger]

Going for 2 from the 2 yard line has less than 40% conversion rate. .

100% wrong....again

[GiveMeaBJ]

Listen guys I am not saying it is the correct play, I am not saying it is stupid coaches don't do it, I could argue both sides all day I get both angles. But I'm just surprised we don't see it more. Colts/Packers @ Colts it's 21-20 Packers. Packers score with 3:30 left. Why not go for two? Peyton is going to score, why not just try to end it there? Plus, even if they do score and your tied because you missed the 2pc your probably have some time left to get into FG range.

[RudyRuetigger]

it depends on the dynamics of the game to me, but i agree it is correct to go for it in those circumstances some of the time.

[GiveMeaBJ]

it depends on the dynamics of the game to me, but i agree it is correct to go for it in those circumstances some of the time.

If you say it then it must be right.

[GiveMeaBJ]

it depends on the dynamics of the game to me, but i agree it is correct to go for it in those circumstances some of the time.

BTW completely agree. Dynamics of the game is what it is all about. If the Ravens and Steelers are playing and it's 13-12 your not going for two.

[pavyracer]

That's like saying why don't basketball teams shoot only 3's. You get one extra point if you make it.

[GiveMeaBJ]

That's like saying why don't basketball teams shoot only 3's. You get one extra point if you make it.

Terrible analogy.

[HenPrivilege]

I always thought about this as well.. I really think there is some kind of coaches code or something

But if you do have one of the best defenses in the league you kick the extra point.. no brainer

[TPowell]

I agree, NO NFL coaches have the stones to go for the 2 point conversion when an XP ties the game which is understandable. So why not try to go for two when up by 7? If you convert, the game is OVER, if not and they score you go to overtime. The extra point does NOTHING in an end of game situation

[GiveMeaBJ]

Of course, I wouldn't do it every time I was up one and scored but there are situations given the team you have the team your playing, time left, game dynamics, etc that I would go for it in.

[ngates815]

It just doesn't make sense when you are up by 1 to go for 2.

So if you miss you're up by 7 and the other team just needs a TD and Extra point. Which is somewhat of an automatic point

If you go for 2 you're up 9. And yes it's a 2 possession game.

If you go for 1 you're up 8 and then you force the other team to come down and score, and then they have to go for the 2pt conversion just to tie the game up.


If 2 point conversions were that easy, every team would go for them. That's why you go for 1 and put the pressure on the other team to go for it, just so the game can go to overtime.


How many teams can't convert on 3&2 from the middle of the field? The defense is in alot tougher spot there, because they have to worry about a team taking a deep shot down the field. When you only have 12 yards behind you, it gives the offense alot less options, and makes it easier on the defense, I would imagine.

Not sure the statistics on this, just saying that's what it would seem to be like.

[GiveMeaBJ]

It just doesn't make sense when you are up by 1 to go for 2.

So if you miss you're up by 7 and the other team just needs a TD and Extra point. Which is somewhat of an automatic point

If you go for 2 you're up 9. And yes it's a 2 possession game.

If you go for 1 you're up 8 and then you force the other team to come down and score, and then they have to go for the 2pt conversion just to tie the game up.


If 2 point conversions were that easy, every team would go for them. That's why you go for 1 and put the pressure on the other team to go for it, just so the game can go to overtime.


How many teams can't convert on 3&2 from the middle of the field? The defense is in alot tougher spot there, because they have to worry about a team taking a deep shot down the field. When you only have 12 yards behind you, it gives the offense alot less options, and makes it easier on the defense, I would imagine.

Not sure the statistics on this, just saying that's what it would seem to be like.

Listen I agree with a lot of the things you said. Yes, inside the 5 really limits your play selection. But two yards is still two yards. Even if it is a 42% play as someone mentioned that means 42 times out of 100 your going to convert and win the game right there. Then how many of those other 58 times do they come down and score and get the PAT? I don't know the stats but I'll give the offense some credit and say half even though it isn't that high IMO. So that means 42 times your ending the game, 29 times your stopping them on D. Now out of the 29 times they score and tie it how many times do they win in OT? Let's call it 50% again. So:

100 situations:
42 times you end it with a 2pt conversion.
29 times you miss the two and stop them on defense.
14 times you miss the two, they score, and you win in OT.

14 times you miss it, they score, they send it to OT, score and you lose.

Does this make sense?

[ngates815]

Now being a gambler you should realize what you're saying now.

If you can make it at 42 % of the time (not sure the actual #, but you're ok with that # so)

Wouldn't it make more sense to go for 1 and make it a 8 pt game.

Then you go on Defense, and the other team scores. Now they have to go for 2 and your percentage jumps from 42% (if you had to go for it) to 58% now that you're on Defense.

[GiveMeaBJ]

Now being a gambler you should realize what you're saying now.

If you can make it at 42 % of the time (not sure the actual #, but you're ok with that # so)

Wouldn't it make more sense to go for 1 and make it a 8 pt game.

Then you go on Defense, and the other team scores. Now they have to go for 2 and your percentage jumps from 42% (if you had to go for it) to 58% now that you're on Defense.

If you get the two you win. If they get the two they tie.

[ngates815]

Right, but wouldn't you just rather have them take the 42 % chance JUST to tie the game and send it to OT?


Or

Since you keep saying they should go for 2. What happens if you go for 2 and you miss, so you're up 7. Then the other team scores, they should also go for 2 to win the game?

[GiveMeaBJ]

Right, but wouldn't you just rather have them take the 42 % chance JUST to tie the game and send it to OT?


Or

Since you keep saying they should go for 2. What happens if you go for 2 and you miss, so you're up 7. Then the other team scores, they should also go for 2 to win the game?

No. Why would they go for two? If you don't get it you lose. My point is if you don't get the two you tie. I wouldn't do it every time but if I had to kick the ball off to say Peyton Manning I am going for two. If I have to kick it off to Matt Moore I will just kick the PAT.

[RudyRuetigger]

depending on the offense and defense its between 40-55% success rate

here is a good article on it (on the side is a link for the coach's chart)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/sports/football/02fast.html?_r=1

[pavyracer]

NFL will be hiring shortly with coaches about to get axed. Maybe you can impress an owner at your interview on how you plan to go for 2 on every TD. Do you realize that if you use all your trick plays to score a TD for a 2pt conversion then when you actually need a real TD to win the game you have nothing left to trick the other team because they will have film of all your 2pt conversions for the rest of the year? You can't run 200 different plays and formations from the 2 yard line all year long regardless if it's for a TD or a 2 pt conversion.

[GiveMeaBJ]

NFL will be hiring shortly with coaches about to get axed. Maybe you can impress an owner at your interview on how you plan to go for 2 on every TD. Do you realize that if you use all your trick plays to score a TD for a 2pt conversion then when you actually need a real TD to win the game you have nothing left to trick the other team because they will have film of all your 2pt conversions for the rest of the year? You can't run 200 different plays and formations from the 2 yard line all year long regardless if it's for a TD or a 2 pt conversion.

Did you even read my original post? Why would I go for two after every TD?

[pavyracer]

The 2 pt conversion is used as a last resort. Coaches have 4-5 trick plays every season that they can use for it when needed. If it is used frequently the other teams will be prepared for it. You have maybe a couple dozen plays all year long that you can use to score a TD from the 2 yard line.

[jjgold]

Coaches have done studies and the percentages of making the two point conversions are not in their favor