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Bill coach Sean McDermott may later realize he should have been more aggressive on the fourth round in Sunday’s AFC Championship. But at the time, he thought he should play it safe.
McDermott said today he is worried about going down on the fourth and seeing his team discouraged if they fail. McDermott said that ‘morale’ was a big part of his reason for kicking field goals on the fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard and four-and-3 from the 8-yard.
But what would have been really great for the Bills’ morale – and their chances of winning the game – would have been the onslaught of the two plays instead of meeting for field goals. The bills were subdued against the Chiefs and needed to know they would have to take a chance on winning. McDermott did not want to risk the chances on the fourth discount.
Analysis research has consistently shown that coaches need to work for it more often than fourth. McDermott may have thought he was boosting his team’s morale, but he is not giving his team the best chance of winning.