While they trailed 27-3 at halftime, the Washington Commanders had a chance to head into the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game with the Chicago Bears trailing by only one possession. They opted against it.
A third-and-12 from the Chicago 23 initially looked like it would be a disaster for the Commanders. The pocket collapsed around quarterback Sam Howell, who quickly found himself surrounded. But Howell broke out away from the pack, scrambled to his right and eventually gutted out an eight-yard run to set up a fourth-and-three. Trailing by 16 points, the logical decision seemed to be to go for it. A field goal would have trimmed the deficit to 13 points, which is still not only two possessions, but two touchdowns.
Despite that, Commanders coach Ron Rivera sent his field goal team out there. Joey Slye banged home a 32-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 27-14.
Commanders QB Sam Howell comes up with a gutty third-down run to set up a 4th-and-3.
Despite being down 16 points deep into the third quarter, Ron Rivera and the Commanders elect to kick a field goal.
Some serious second-guessing going on at FedEx Field pic.twitter.com/Soa8DQuJuV
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 6, 2023
Given the score and that it was already late in the third quarter, a case could have been made that the Commanders should have gone for it on fourth down, even if they picked up no yards on third down and were facing a fourth-and-12.
But given the time remaining, the score and that Washington needed only three yards, Rivera’s decision to kick a field goal was widely panned.
YOU DON'T SAY pic.twitter.com/H8VL8HBGn9
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 6, 2023
BOO GO FOR IT WHAT ARE WE DOING
— Jordan (@wshingtontoday) October 6, 2023
Ron Rivera handed momentum back to the Bears when he kicked the field goal.
Absurd to see your QB put everything on the line to get the first down and you just kick it when you need two yards.
Riverboat Ron isn’t a thing anymore.
— Jordan (@wshingtontoday) October 6, 2023
Pathetic for Washington to not go for it there lol. They were going to get it.
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) October 6, 2023
Only Ron Rivera kicks a field goal down two possessions to stay down two possessions. Should’ve gone for it. #HTTC
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) October 6, 2023
Ron Rivera and Josh McDaniels pic.twitter.com/UrNObjP9Di
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 6, 2023
Commanders down 16, elect for a field goal on a 4th-and-2 from the CHI 13.
Still a two-possession game. pic.twitter.com/RsxgWoQed4
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 6, 2023
[Photo Credit: Amazon Prime]
