TOB

The Steelers got to 1st and goal from the 3 with 1:38 left in a tie game at the end of regulation. In my view, they almost certainly should have run on the first two plays and probably the third as well. Instead, they went pass (incomplete), run (short gain), and pass (incomplete). They kicked a field goal and left Tampa with 1:21 left and one timeout, trailing by 3. Consider what could have happened: If they run on 1st down, they either score or the Bucs call their 2nd timeout at 1:33. If they run on 2nd down, they either score or the Bucs call their 3rd timeout at 1:28. On 3rd down, they run again (or call a pass where you instruct the QB to take a sack if it isn’t an open throw). You want to make sure you either score a TD or the clock is running. No need to force it into a tight window. Personally, I would have just run it a third time so nothing funky happens. Say they do not score and the clock is running. The 3rd-down play ends at 1:23. They let another 40 seconds run off and kick a field goal, leaving the Bucs with about 39 seconds and no timeouts. This approach would have either had the Steelers up by 7 or, worst case, left the Bucs with 39 seconds and no timeouts while trailing by 3. Much better than what actually played out. Down by 3 with 1:21 left and a timeout, the Bucs legitimately had time to potentially score a TD to win the game.