Chiefs fourth-down decision, explained: Andy Reid makes puzzling choice that leads to Texans’ go-ahead touchdown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been accused of not being their usual dominant self as they struggled to a 6-6 record ahead of a Week 14 game against the Houston Texans.
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The Chiefs and Texans played a defensive battle that left the teams tied at 10 points apiece in the fourth quarter. Neither team was able to capitalize on the field position their defense continually earned.
While the Chiefs are known for their well-rounded dominance on the field, they also get credit for having a future Hall of Fame head coach in Andy Reid. He has consistently been one of the best head coaches in the Kansas City dynasty, which makes his decision late in the fourth quarter to go for it on fourth down deep in the Chiefs’ own territory all the more head-scratching.
Here is more on why the Chiefs decided to go for it on fourth down in their own territory in the fourth quarter against the Texans in Week 14.
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Chiefs fourth-down decision, explained
It isn’t uncommon for teams to line up for it on fourth-and-short. The majority of the time, especially in their own territory, the team will do its best to draw the defense offside for a free first down.
Kansas City’s drive started on its own 22-yard line. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had back-to-back incompletions before he scrambled for a nine-yard run. The Chiefs were at their own fourth-and-one and lined up to go for it.
To the surprise of everyone, Kansas City actually hiked the ball and went for a pass. Mahomes had another incompletion, and it was a turnover on downs.
Six plays later, Houston running back Dare Ogunbowale punched in a five-yard touchdown to take the 17-10 lead.
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On their ensuing drive, Kansas City again faced fourth and short. This time, the Chiefs faced fourth-and-four on their own 41-yard line. After going for, and failing the first fourth down call, Kansas City was almost forced to go for it again on fourth down.
It ended the same way as Mahomes missed Rashee Rice and it was a second consecutive drive that ended in a turnover on downs in the Chiefs’ own territory.
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