Eagles Squander 22% GWC in Loss to New Orleans
Pigskinrevolution.com
Andy Reid was visibly shaken during the postgame press conference. Inevitably, he was asked about his crucial decision to punt the ball away with only
1:56 remaining in the game. They hadn't been able to stop "Deuce" all day, so how could they possibly expect to get the ball back and succeed on a
subsequent possession?. On the surface, his decision seemed very questionable to the commentators and the fans (with the exception of Mike Ditka,
who incorrectly stated that converting a 4th and 15 was less than a 5% proposition). ZEUS examines this decision and the remaining critical calls for
both the Eagles and the Saints in the following table. The results are surprising.
ZEUS tags the Eagles with two of the largest single play errors we have witnessed this NFL season. The choice to kick the field goal at 11:12 of the 4th
quarter when trailing by 6 is an 8.3% GWC blunder. The infamous decision to punt at 1:56 of the 4th cost the Eagles over 10% GWC! Interestingly,
Reid made the correct choice on the previous play with 4th and 10 when the completion was overturned with a 5 yard penalty. He apparently felt the
extra five yards was enough to tip the scales in favor of the punt.
PHILADELPHIA CRITICAL PLAYS:
Quarter
|
Time
|
Ball
Position
|
Down
|
Yards to 1st
|
Score Differential
|
Timeouts
|
Play Called
|
Error
(in GWC %)
|
1
|
4:41
|
P47
|
4
|
8
|
-3
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-0.5
|
2
|
0:54
|
NO2
|
|
|
0
|
2-2
|
1 PAT
|
-0.4
|
2
|
0:54
|
P30
|
|
|
+1
|
2-2
|
Regular Kick Off
|
0
|
3
|
7:37
|
NO38
|
4
|
12
|
+1
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-1.9
|
4
|
11:12
|
NO6
|
4
|
3
|
-6
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-8.3
|
4
|
11:08
|
P30
|
|
|
-3
|
3-3
|
Regular Kick Off
|
0
|
4
|
8:33
|
P37
|
4
|
10
|
-3
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-1.2
|
4
|
1:56
|
P44
|
4
|
10
|
-3
|
2-3
|
pass
|
0
|
4
|
1:56
|
P39
|
4
|
15
|
-3
|
2-3
|
punt
TOTAL
|
-10.5
|
-22.8
|
|
NEW ORLEANS CRITICAL PLAYS:
Quarter
|
Time
|
Ball
Position
|
Down
|
Yards to 1st
|
Score Differential
|
Timeouts
|
Play Called
|
Error (in
GWC%)
|
1
|
13:26
|
NO40
|
4
|
10
|
0
|
3-3
|
punt
|
0
|
1
|
9:28
|
P15
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-2.1
|
1
|
2:34
|
50
|
4
|
3
|
+3
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-0.5
|
2
|
14:49
|
P5
|
4
|
5
|
+3
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-2.0
|
2
|
5:19
|
P2
|
|
|
+5
|
3-3
|
1 PAT
|
0
|
2
|
0:25
|
NO32
|
4
|
13
|
-1
|
2-2
|
run/Fake
|
0
|
3
|
9:44
|
P2
|
|
|
-2
|
3-3
|
1 PAT
|
-0.4
|
3
|
1:05
|
P2
|
|
|
+5
|
3-3
|
1 PAT
TOTAL
|
-0.7
|
-5.7
|
|