Yes, if they kick then you're down 8 and after your next TD you MUST convert for 2 or else you lose. If you go for 2 early and don't convert, you are obviously in deep shit but there is a bit more flexibility
I'll take down 9 with 6 minutes left over down 2 with 90 seconds left or whatever time conditions we wanna assume. Ideally you get it either way, but as we've seen things don't always work out ideally.
Ok but if there are more than moments left then we're also bringing in the possibility of doing all the hard work to tie it up and then you've still gotta make one additional stand to avoid losing in regulation anyways.
Depends on when that next TD comes. Like I said, getting the ball back with 7:20 to go, if you decided to eat up 7 minutes of clock, and happen to score a TD, and then you miss, that's your fault for leaving yourself no outs. You need that next score to come within 3 minutes.
Yeah, score quickly and the defense has to do their part too. Tis football after all. They did their job in second half.
The only time I'm not leaving any time on the clock is a situation like the Chiefs game this year. Factor in the opposing QB, how your defense is doing at the time. I 100% was on board with the 4th and 2 go for it to bleed out the clock and win the game, rather than punt it back to Mahomes in a 36-35 shootout.
Yesterday, Mayfield hadn't done anything since the middle of the 2nd quarter. After the 1 yard passing TD to Hooper, it was an INT to Averett, punt, Browns D scored, punt, missed FG, punt, punt. I would have worried because I'm invested and it's a tight game. But I would expect the Browns and Mayfield to do what they do best. Suck. And if the defense lets you down, then it's a hell of a lot easier to justify.
I just think you have to take the easy points until your hand is forced, or the math says otherwise. Like if they were down 16 instead of 15. So much can happen in 9 minutes. Say they kick a FG and the ensuing drive. Now you're down 12 instead of 11. It becomes that much harder. It makes the hole you dug yourself that much deeper. Down 11 you can kick a FG first and save some time. Down 12 you have to go the distance, twice. But I guess you don't need the 2pts anymore
So much can happen, 9 minutes left wasn't the time to go for it, and I'm sticking to it.