The Titans determined to punt, and probably punted away their Tremendous Bowl hopes.
Within the fourth quarter down 17-13, Mike Vrabel and the Titans opted to punt in Ravens territory, elevating eyebrows and incomes criticism from all corners of the Twittersphere.
On a fourth-and-2 from the Ravens’ 40-yard line with 10:06 left on the sport clock, Vrabel and the Titans opted to punt, giving the ball again to the Ravens with ample time left. The Ravens would drive down the sphere and internet a subject objective, giving them the 20-13 lead. The rating would maintain for the ultimate.
“Simply determined to punt,” Vrabel mentioned in his postgame press convention. “We had been taking part in properly defensively, thought we’d get a punt contained in the 10 and be capable to play the sphere place sport. Had a while there that I felt like we might. We held ’em to a subject objective.”
After all, these selections are oftentimes painstakingly made and its typically simple to second-guess these selections in actual time — however Vrabel’s resolution to punt is the primary time it is occurred in over 25 years, per Professional Soccer Reference.
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The analytics additionally disagree — vehemently — with Vrabel’s resolution in that specific second, resulting in loads of reinforcement for the head-scratching over the choice.
—> BAL (17) @ TEN (13) <—
TEN has 4th & 2 on the BAL 40Advice (VERY STRONG): 👉 Go for it (+7.9 WP)
Precise play: 🏈🦵 B.Kern punts 25 yards to BLT 15, Middle-M.Overton, honest catch by D.Duvernay. pic.twitter.com/jOnBdWPgVp— 4th down resolution bot (@ben_bot_baldwin) January 10, 2021
After all, the web does not overlook: Vrabel as soon as was quoted as saying he would lop off his personal genitals if it meant a Tremendous Bowl look for the Titans. Clearly, the potential beheading performed into Vrabel’s thoughts, and the adoring public reminded the Titans HC of that.
Mike Vrabel is keen to chop his penis off to win a Tremendous Bowl however will not go on 4th and a pair of on the Ravens 40.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 10, 2021
The Packers confirmed us all the way in which in opposition to the Titans: You cease Derrick Henry, you cease this group in its tracks.
I nonetheless do not know what Mike Vrabel was doing punting on Baltimore’s 40, although. Possibly if you happen to went for it there, you would not have needed to scramble to get better.
— BungledTree (@UrinatingTree) January 10, 2021
is Mike Vrabel’s blood oath to chop his penis off in case of a Titans Tremendous Bowl win nonetheless in impact, as a result of which may clarify the choice to punt
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 10, 2021
I’ve the Ravens right here, I’m past grateful Mike Vrabel simply punted there!!!! What on the planet is that???
— John Jastremski (@john_jastremski) January 10, 2021
Mike Vrabel is gonna get demolished within the media/by followers for that punt resolution and he’ll deserve all of the criticism. I am unable to consider something current within the NFL that comes near how disastrous and cowardly that was. 4th and a pair of on the Baltimore 40, Derrick Henry in your roster.
— Will Warren (@statsbywill) January 10, 2021
