in another game today….
Houston- Jacksonville which was tied 10-10 under 2 to go , Jacksonville had a long pass play getting them to a 1st and goal just inside the 10 with around 1:48 to go. Next play Houston let them score a TD. Houston had only 2 TO left before the play. If they stopped them on 2 plays then a run, thry were looking at down 3+ with around 45 seconds left after the kick off and no time outs left.
i recall another game where they let them score, even though the score put them up 2 scores, it saved time where a comeback could be possible.
Say it’s 4 minutes left, you have 2 TO and the 2 min warning. They have 1st and goal from the 5.
option 1 you burn 2 TOs, hold them to a FG, you get the ball back with 3 min, you need a score+ onside kick and then score.
ootion 2 you let them score going up by 14 with 4 left. You have the ogpffense to score in 90 or so seconds, then KO and you have 2 TO+2 min warning to stop them and get the ball back to score.
obviously the probability odds are far better in option 2.