Broncos and Niners Combine for over 30% in GWC Errors!
Pigskinrevolution.com
On December 31, the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers combined to post the largest total single game error rate we have witnessed to
date. Denver encountered 9 4th down decisions and erred 6 times for a total of 17.8% GWC according to ZEUS analysis. San Francisco committed
errors on 4 of the 10 4th down situations they faced for a total of 13.6% GWC .
Imagine if you will the following hypothetical scenario: The Broncos and Niners are tied at the 10 minute mark of the 4th quarter with a 1st and 10 on the
50 yard line. Tatum Bell receives the handoff and suddenly becomes disoriented. As a result, he runs 50 yards in the wrong direction before he is
tackled in his own end zone for a safety. That would certainly represent the most outrageous blunder of the season and the all the sports shows would
have a field day talking about how Denver threw their playoff hopes away on an unimaginable mistake. Yet this example would be no worse than what
the Denver coaching staff actually committed on Sunday. Because it occurred across 6 critical decisions rather than a single play it is hardly noticed by
most observers. Fortunately for the Niners, their own poor decision making was overshadowed by the Broncos, and they managed to come away with
an overtime victory. The graphic details follow.
DENVER CRITICAL PLAYS:
Quarter
|
Time
|
Ball
Position
|
Down
|
Yards to 1st
|
Score Differential
|
Timeouts
|
Play Called
|
Error
(in GWC %)
|
1
|
12:40
|
SF35
|
4
|
9
|
0
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-2.8
|
1
|
8:26
|
SF37
|
4
|
6
|
0
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-2.8
|
1
|
0:47
|
SF4
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-2.4
|
2
|
11:23
|
SF3
|
4
|
3
|
+3
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-3.3
|
2
|
4:12
|
D23
|
4
|
1
|
+6
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-2.3
|
3
|
1:48
|
SF96
|
4
|
4
|
-4
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-4.2
|
4
|
8:44
|
D9
|
4
|
7
|
-4
|
3-3
|
punt
|
0
|
OT
|
11:57
|
D43
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
2-2
|
punt
|
0
|
OT
|
4:40
|
D19
|
4
|
13
|
0
|
2-1
|
punt
|
0
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO CRITICAL PLAYS:
Quarter
|
Time
|
Ball
Position
|
Down
|
Yards to 1st
|
Score Differential
|
Timeouts
|
Play Called
|
Error (in
GWC%)
|
1
|
10:32
|
SF7
|
4
|
5
|
0
|
3-3
|
punt
|
0
|
1
|
5:02
|
SF41
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
3-3
|
pass
|
0
|
2
|
14:56
|
SF42
|
4
|
5
|
-3
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-0.5
|
2
|
9:58
|
SF38
|
4
|
10
|
-6
|
3-3
|
punt
|
0
|
2
|
6:41
|
D46
|
4
|
17
|
-6
|
3-3
|
punt
|
0
|
2
|
1:03
|
D33
|
4
|
2
|
-13
|
1-3
|
run
|
0
|
4
|
12:00
|
D11
|
4
|
5
|
+1
|
3-3
|
FG
|
-2.5
|
4
|
9:40
|
D40
|
4
|
7
|
+4
|
3-3
|
punt
|
-2.4
|
4
|
6:18
|
D28
|
4
|
9
|
+4
|
1-3
|
FG
|
-0.6
|
4
|
0:09
|
SF42
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
1-0
|
punt
|
-3.9
|
OT
|
7:07
|
D44
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
2-2
|
punt
|
-3.7
|
|