I have to respectfully but BIG TIME disagree.
If the ball were 10 yards or so further up the field I might have considered going for it, but if the play fails BC is in FG range. If the ball were outside of BC FG range then at least you give your D a chance to stop them from gaining FG range.
If there was say a 1:20 left on the clock rather than 42 seconds or whatever it was, then I might consider gambling because if the play fails and the Lions score on the following possession, you probably still get the ball back.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, if the lead was MORE THAN 3 POINTS, I would have definitely gone for it because if the play fails, BC needs to drive half the field for a TD.
As we saw, the play failed. And BC ensuing possession went about as well as Sask’s D could hope for. 3 plays later it was 3rd and 10. So Sask’s D had no realistic chance to save the 3 point lead. Why would you risk putting them in that situation?
In that specific situation it is not about whether or not you believe in your guys to make it, it is about the COST IF YOU FAIL. 99% of the time, the cost if you fail is not that high. In this 1% situation, the WIN was on the line. Remember, you are putting the WIN at risk of a dropped snap or a bad spot by the officials, or just an inspired 1 time great play by a linebacker etc …
When I saw them set the sticks I said, PUNT THAT BALL, but then when Brett came on with the short yardage team I was like, GOD they better frickin get this yard. All I could think abut was 2007 ESF Jim Popp goes for it 3rd and 2 feet on his own 45 with 40ish seconds left and a 2 point lead. I thought that there was no way that he would risk handing Winnipeg field goal range in the last minute with a 2 point lead. he did, they failed and Winnipeg went on to the Grey Cup. Same dumb mistake happened here. PUNT THAT BALL!!
Myself I would have gone for it in the OT, but I do understand that if they fail there they lose the game so … but I still think they should have gone for it.
What pissed me off more than the OT gamble was kneeling out on the 35 with 15 seconds left in a tie game. Why not take a shot at FG range? You only need 35ish yards from there and you might even be able to run 2 plays before kicking. Just take a shot, they probably rush 3 if it’s not there throw it out of bounds, no interception and stop the clock.