Nick Sirianni Stands by Controversial Decision in Eagles' 22-21 Loss to Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni remains resolute about a pivotal decision during the team's recent 22-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, a game marked by a series of critical moments and strategic choices.
The game witnessed a critical juncture when star running back Saquon Barkley dropped a crucial third-and-3 pass at the Falcons' 13-yard line. This catch, had it been made, could have allowed the Eagles to run out the clock, securing what would have likely been an 18-15 victory, considering the Falcons were out of timeouts. However, Barkley's missed opportunity set the stage for Sirianni’s contentious decision to bring out the field goal unit.
With 1:42 remaining on the clock, Sirianni opted to attempt a field goal to extend the Eagles' lead to 21-15. The decision was backed by analytics, which suggested a 94% chance of victory before the kick. Surprisingly, post-field goal, the Eagles' win probability dropped to 85%, despite the six-point cushion. The kick off that followed landed in the end zone, giving the Falcons the challenge of covering 70 yards in under 1:40 to tie the game with a touchdown.
The Falcons moved the ball effectively, gaining 58 yards in just 43 seconds and entering the red zone. With only 38 seconds left, quarterback Kirk Cousins connected with wide receiver Drake London for a touchdown. Kicker Younghoe Koo's extra point then sealed the Falcons' 22-21 victory.
This loss marks a concerning trend for the Eagles, as it was their fourth blown lead with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter since the start of the previous season, the highest figure in the NFL over the span.
Addressing the scrutiny post-game, Sirianni reflected on his decision through the lens of thorough analysis and experience. "What I did was I looked through the entire league and said to our analytics department, 'Could you give me every fourth-down decision when teams are in range with a four-minute offense?'" he explained. "So I asked for every time it was one point to five points when the team was up and every fourth down from the 34 and in.'
Sirianni further elaborated, emphasizing his preparation and conviction. "If you look at the history of that call, and I'm gonna try to drag myself through the mud as much as I possibly can. I've put myself in that situation prior to the call. My conviction in the moment was I knew exactly what I wanted (to do). Is the outcome always what you want? No, but I was completely convicted there that the field goal was the right decision based off all my studies," he stated.
He also highlighted the psychological aspect of the lead difference. "There's a different stress being down six as opposed to three," he noted, drawing from his background as an offensive coach. "Now, I come back and evaluate it? And I'm even more convicted, to be quite honest with you. Because of everything that goes into that."
While the outcome was far from favorable for the Eagles, Sirianni’s steadfast belief in his decision, rooted in empirical data and thorough analysis, underscores the complexities and pressures of NFL coaching. The near-certain victory that slipped away serves as a stark reminder of the thin margins in professional football and the critical nature of every coaching decision.