Nick Sirianni Explains Fourth-Down Gambles in Win Over Saints
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni recently came under the spotlight following his team's gutsy, if not slightly controversial, fourth-down decisions in their win against the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles, trailing 3-0 in the final minute of the first half, faced a crucial fourth-and-1 at the Saints' 15-yard line. Instead of going for a conservative field goal, Sirianni opted to go for it, calling an audacious fake "tush push" play. The gamble fell through as Saquon Barkley was stopped for no gain.
Addressing the media post-game, Sirianni was unapologetic about his decision-making process. "Every time we go for it on fourth down or set ourselves up to go for it on fourth down, I'm doing what I think is best for the football team at that particular time. I'm not going to make that a weekly habit of explaining that to you guys," he asserted, firmly standing by his in-game choices.
The Eagles' fourth-down stats from that game tell a story of mixed success. They went 1-for-3 on fourth-down attempts, failing to convert not just at the Saints' 15-yard line, but also at the Saints' 14-yard line and 34-yard line. One particular fourth-down attempt, a 60-yard field goal try on fourth-and-11 at the Saints' 42-yard line, highlighted the team's aggressive approach.
Sirianni emphasized that each decision was made with the intention of giving the Eagles the best chance to win. "I can say this: Every time I do something like that, I'm doing it because I think it gives us the best chance to win the football game. And knowing very well that when you don't convert on fourth down, that's going to be 100% on me, regardless," he explained.
This strategy is not merely a result of spur-of-the-moment decision-making but part of a collaborative process within the coaching staff. Eagles' offensive coordinator and primary play-caller, Kellen Moore, and passing game coordinator/associate head coach, Kevin Patullo, both play crucial roles in formulating these choices. "Kellen is obviously the one calling plays, but everything is collaborative as far as the way we go through our process and in-game. Just because I did it in that one [instance] doesn't mean there is not a play that [Patullo] is saying in the ear of Kellen, 'Hey, what do you think about this there?' and Kellen going, 'Yeah, I like that idea,'" said Sirianni, shedding light on the intricate decision-making dynamics within the team.
Sirianni’s approach to fourth downs underscores a broader philosophical commitment to taking calculated risks, even under high-pressure circumstances. Yet, with such an approach comes the inevitable scrutiny, especially when the decisions do not yield the desired outcome. "I also understand the scrutiny that will happen when something like that happens. I wanted you guys to know yesterday that in that scenario, with a questionable call there, that I made that decision. ... In that particular case, I called that one, and it didn't work," he candidly admitted.
As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to observe how this aggressive game strategy impacts the Eagles' performance. While the outcomes of these high-stakes gambles might vary, what remains consistent is Sirianni's willingness to bear full responsibility for the play-calls. Such decisiveness, even in the face of public criticism, speaks volumes about his leadership and commitment to doing what he feels is best for his team.