C H O K E

[Harlan Huckleby]

But they had no reason to pass from the 23 on 2nd down.

Ya, they had no reason to pass on any down when they were inside the 25.

[ThunderDan]

I really don't remember the game very well. But they lost significant yardage on two plays, a penalty and sack? As soon as they lost yardage, I am fine with their passing to get a shorter FG.

Yup the passed on 2nd down and got sacked. They tried a pass on third that was successful but offensive holding was called. After the 10 yards, ATL third down play was an incomplete pass. Punt on 4th down.

[woodbuck27]

HH, they did run on 1st down and passed on 2nd. They should have run on 1st, 2nd and 3rd down and kicked a FG on 4th.

Of course you are correct and the culprit here is the ** Atlanta OC Kyle Shanahan **. His silly ego tripped him and the Atlanta Falcons up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Shanahan

OC's are famous for this sort or ego error. Kyle Shanahan needed to keep it simple and his first call and last call on that series should 'of course' be to run the ball on and on fourth down kick a FG.

The whole point of my protest is focused on you claiming that MM would have called it right: i

Too often MM doesn't call it right.

I illustrated that by simply going back to his last game when he allowed Atlanta to take the ball on offence after winning the beginning of game coin toss. If you win that coin toss you take your Offence onto the field; and especially so, when your defensive secondary sucks and you are going to have to defend against the NFL's NO. 1 passing offence.

[King Friday]

Their largest mistake was not running on 3rd and 1 when New England forced the fumble and recovered.

Just running the ball there and punting would've eaten up another 45 sec of clock time and given the Patriots about 45 yards more to go before scoring. That would've made a comeback nearly impossible without an onside kick recovery or multiple big chunk plays offensively.

[ThunderDan]

Twice in the game ATL was in FG range. Once after the onside kick (32 yard line) and once after Julio's amazing catch(23 yard line). In both situations they punted after sacks.

[gbgary]

Twice in the game ATL was in FG range. Once after the onside kick (32 yard line) and once after Julio's amazing catch(23 yard line). In both situations they punted after sacks.

yes! the later being the worse of the two. it was their last chance. there were other mistakes and big plays before this but this was their last, and easiest, chance to put the game away. the sack, then the holding call, then the punt, sealed their fate. their defense was exhausted from being on the field for 90+ plays. they had nothing left.