Should Washington Commanders Have Gone For 2-Point Conversion vs. Philadelphia Eagles?
The Washington Commanders took a lead into halftime before ultimately losing in overtime to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 34-31.
It's the second straight week the Commanders have allowed over 30 points, though none were given directly by the offense this weekend, and most of them came in the second half.
But it could have produced a win for Washington had coach Ron Rivera opted to go for a two-point conversion at the end of regulation over kicking an extra point and playing for overtime.
"Yeah, but you know what, those guys - they were gassed," Rivera said of his offense after acknowledging there was a thought about going for two at the end of regulation. "It was a long (expletive) drive, they were hurrying, they were hustling...and that's too bad."
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) makes a touchdown catch past Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josh Jobe (28) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Commanders led 17-10 at the half but fell behind 24-17 in the fourth quarter and trailed 31-24 with less than two minutes on the game clock and only one timeout in their possession.
Second-year quarterback Sam Howell led his offense on a 10-play drive that used every sliver of time leading to a big decision for coach Rivera and assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Washington could go for two and a win, or kick the extra point and likely play overtime football against one of the best teams in the league.
Kicking the extra point has two possible and likely outcomes with one being a tie game and the other being a loss.
Going for the two-point conversion carries one of the same potential results in a loss being possible, but also carries an opportunity for a win.
Only one decision can lead to a win. And to many, that's all the information they need to make the decision to go for it in that situation.
Rivera didn't, and in the team's postgame coverage, former NFL tight end Logan Paulsen pointed out that only the coach has all the information on the sideline and not just the analytics and potential outcomes.
Paulsen said he'd have preferred a two-point try but acknowledged that only Rivera had all the information needed to make the right decision at that moment.
Information like how much the offense had in the tank for one more play at the end of that drive after running the previous 10 in a near-running clock scenario.
Others haven't been as gracious in their reactions to Rivera's decision, and the final overtime loss isn't going to help.
