NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after winning a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
By Ben Sieck on

The Oakland Raiders beat the New Orleans Saints in thrilling fashion on Sunday, charging down the field in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter and scoring a touchdown with 47 seconds left to pull with a point of the Saints, 34-33. The game appeared to be headed to overtime, but Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio had other ideas. Instead of sending out his kicker to attempt a game-tying PAT, he decided to roll the dice and go for two and the win.

Quarterback Derek Carr launched a fade to Michael Crabtree in the corner of the end zone, and the Raiders took the lead and the game, 35-34.

It was a gutsy call, but now that the PAT is no sure thing, going for two in situations like that is a more reasonable proposition. It certainly adds an extra layer of excitement for fans as well.

Still, not everyone agreed with the decision. ESPN’s Stats & Info Twitter account tweeted out this probability analysis of Del Rio’s coaching move.

Of course, someone in Del Rio’s situation would reasonably fire back the only stat the matters is 1-0. And, well that is exactly what he did.

https://twitter.com/coachdelrio/status/775090806881476608

He even gave a thumbs-up emoji to a tweet from an Oakland beat writer praising Del Rio for exercising situational — not conventional — strategy on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/coachdelrio/status/775091372093214721

For those keeping score at home, ESPN is now 0-2 this Sunday.

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About Ben Sieck

Ben is a recent graduate of Butler University where he served as Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Butler Collegian. He currently resides in Indianapolis.

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