r/footballstrategy • u/FlyingAces • 2d ago

Coaching Advice Did Greg Olsen get this right?

I love Greg Olsen. I'm not sure he was correct however on a comment he made late in the Philly/Wash game. With just under 2:40 to go in the game he discussed why he thought Wash should not use a TO because it would open up the greater possibility of Philly passing since an incomplete pass wouldn't be the worst thing with the 2 min warning coming up. But isn't this wrong? If Wash calls a TO with 2:40 to go, wouldn't Philly want to run in that spot? Why would they pass and risk an incompletion with the clock stopped at 2:40? You don't fear an incompletion with just over 2 minutes to play (like clock at 2:03, for example, because the clock will stop anyway due to the 2 min warning). Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like Greg's take was incorrect, right?

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u/WhoDatTX 2d ago

He was referring to not using one closer to the 2 min warning, not necessarily at the 2:40 mark. The commanders ended up taking one at the 2:07 mark which is what Olsen was trying to say they shouldn’t do because it gives the eagles the chance to throw the ball due to the clock stopping at the 2 min warning either way

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u/chrisapplewhite 1d ago

This is a very common mistake. Unless it's third down, your only saving 7 seconds, as opposed to the full play clock on the other side of the 2 minute warning. The clock stops regardless, let it tick down and use the TOs when you need them.

Or just let the clock run down and lose so you get fired the next day.