At the end of the first half of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians opted to take a shot at the end zone instead of setting up a field goal. That gutsy move paid off in the form of a huge touchdown.
So, how did Packers head coach Matt LaFleur respond? Oh, with just one of the more cowardly coaching decisions you’ll see.
And it came with a trip to the literal Super Bowl on the line.
The Packers and Aaron Rodgers faced an eight-point deficit and drove all the way to the Tampa Bay eight-yard line with just over two minutes remaining. Facing a fourth down in that situation with one of the game’s best quarterbacks, you’d think that an offensive mind like LaFleur would go for the touchdown. I mean, that’s just math.
About that …
The Packers chose to kick a field goal down 8 with just over 2 minutes remaining, instead of going for a TD on 4th-and-Goal. pic.twitter.com/ByxDJyBATS
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 24, 2021
The Packers opted for a 26-yard field goal instead of going for the touchdown (and two-point conversion). It was a nonsensical decision that resulted in the Buccaneers holding the ball for the remainder of the game and reaching Super Bowl LV.
NFL fans were understandably in disbelief.
Those eyes SCREAM: “I just made the biggest mistake of my life by kicking the field goal.” pic.twitter.com/sn46v4FYoL
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) January 24, 2021
“Let me kick a field goal with two minutes left and give the ball back to Tom Brady. Surely this will end in my favor.” – Matt “Mike McCarthy” LaFleur
— Villainous Mentality (@ColeyMick) January 24, 2021
The Bucs should send a Super Bowl ring to Matt Lafleur for kicking that field goal.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 24, 2021
4th and goal, season on the line and the Packers really kicked a field goal instead of going for it pic.twitter.com/nvfbr2GixN
— Sam Yeezy (@samstaydipped) January 24, 2021
If I had any sort of emotional attachment to this game, I’d probably be more furious about the field goal, which was a conscious decision, vs gifting an outcome into the possibility of unpredictable human judgement on the other side. But I’m just sitting over here making chili.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 24, 2021
The Packers were absolute morons for kicking that field goal.
Don't let the pass interference penalty cloud that fact.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 24, 2021
The NFL coach dumb enough to kick a field goal and give the ball back to Tom Brady can’t be angry about officiating.
— Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) January 24, 2021
Matt Lafleur deciding to kick a field goal pic.twitter.com/WhkwLgk157
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) January 24, 2021
My thought on the penalty is don't kick that field goal.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 24, 2021
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