I didn't backtrack. At all.
I don't disagree with those points. All valid. But yes you are still ignorant of why the choice was made. I'll wait to hear the answer to the question before I judge the move.
Perhaps they felt that playing a team that's been playing poor and being at home...a chance to jump out early, smack their morale and set the tone was needed. Maybe they were super confident in their opening script. I have no idea.
It didn't work, so it was a bad result. But it didn't play out well because of execution...not coaches decision.