In Madden, you better believe I’m not punting if it’s 4th and 1. Sure, the NFL isn’t Madden, but what if it should be? If I were running a team, there would be a rule in place. I don’t care where the ball is. 4th and 1, we’re not punting. Nonnegotiable. Those types of conversations are make or break times. One extra first down can change the complexion of a game.
Oddly enough, the QB sneak basically doesn’t work in Madden. It works ALL THE TIME in the NFL. Teams have gotten too cute when they try to go for it. BS end zone fades or whatever cheese they dial up. Sometimes, it’s ok to dial up the number one and send the fastball.
Credit to PFF for doing something good for once. I guess even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. I guess it’s not so hard to make a chart so maybe I’m being generous. Anyway, there’s no interpretation needed here. Over the last 5 years, teams are calling QB sneaks 10 percent of the time and converting 84 percent of the time. Calling a pass play is about as good as flipping a coin. Yet, teams dial it up 3x as often.
Teams are too cute. It’s ok to run number one down your throat. When you think of the team that has talent everywhere but has a dog shit head coach, you think Chargers. Over the last 5 years, the Chargers have run ONE quarterback sneak. No surprise for a team that just finds ways to lose.
The Bills are a team that have figured this out. Let 6-foot-5, 240 pound Josh Allen fall forward. All of the well coached teams minus the Giants are on this list. All of these teams have picked up first downs that otherwise wouldn’t have. All of these teams just feel well coached and get more out of their team than they should. Minus the Giants.
Yes, there’s an injury component. Pat Mahomes twisted his knee on a sneak last year. Carson Wentz has been hurt before. Maybe it’s not being taught or practiced enough. If old and unathletic Tom Brady can look good doing it, then there’s no reason the rest of the league can’t. You can make the argument dropping back to pass with a bad offensive line puts the quarterback in more danger.
Dial up the number one. It’s okay to draw up the quarterback sneak. For some reason, teams are not doing so. 84 percent makes you wonder if a 7 year old could just fall forward. There’s never a need to punt on 4th and 1 when the sneak works just about all the time.
