Do certain plays "win or lose games"?

Today, for some weird reason, I started thinking about that play when AB ran out of bounds during the Fins game in the snow a few years ago and I was thinking how if he hadn't done that we would have won. There are plays like that in lots of games that don't work out and then teammates will come out and say "that play is not the reason we lost the game". So, my question is do you think that's actually true? Or does that just fall under the cliches that you have to use to be a "good teammate"? I mean can you say that the Immaculate Reception isn't the reason we beat the Raiders? If there are plays that "win the game" can't there also be plays that "lose the game"? I think there are definitely certain plays that win or lose games regardless of what the players say. I'm just curious what you guys think because we hear players saying all the time that single, significant, plays didn't win or lose the game. I say bull. What say you?

 

absolutely...making the right play at the right time can win games, change seasons, win championships and create dynasties...of course there are a great many other variables that go into it too (the reverse is also true with both points)

 

If every play counts, as it all adds up to the final score, then you have to think about how far to take that. It's a question about determinism. The AB play - which it seems, BFT, that you and me can't forget as well as others - happened because we had played so badly beforehand. So the entire game rested on the play. But the game only rested on the play because of the one before, and the one before, and the one before, and so on.

And if you take that further, each play depends on the play of the previous game, and the one before that... And if you take that further, none of that happens if the entire history of the NFL doesn't happen, and the rules get written, the relevant organistions are formed, the laws allowing the organisations to be formed are formed, and the War of Independence (or the 'unfortunate incident', as I refer to it), and the dinosaurs, etc. etc.

But nobody says that in post-game pressers. So it's more likely that yes, single plays do win or lose games.

 

I believe if you waste opportunities and make mistakes all game long then a guy almost makes a miraculous play, but comes up a bit short. Then no you can't hang that loss on AB. A guy makes a turnover in a tight well played game while driving for the go ahead score? Yes

 

well post game pressers are another reality..I was limiting myself. my bad

 

Very reasonable....but we would-ball a cb who gave up the game wining touchdown to the other team, after holding him catchless before that.

 

Maybe. If the guy completely ran off the field, switched off utterly, then maybe. If the rest of the defense was sloppy so it kept giving the other team the opportunity to throw that guy's way, I think I'd be inclined to pass the blame around for the whole game. But I do see what you mean.

 

I hear ya and wish we were as a whole that forgiving, but think, double move, he falls down...we are a very spoiled bunch

 

nice discussion thread btw BFT...if I may call you that...where were you during the offseason?

 

Of course they do. Interceptions and fumbles determine wins and losses all the time.

 

I've stated this before that a game won or lost can usually be traced back to just 5 plays that would have made the difference.

Last week here are just 3: 1) Trick play with AB, 2) make one of the 2 missed field goals 3)DHB stays in bounds.

 

So basically what you're saying is those plays DON'T "mean nothing" in the grand scheme of things??? Interesting. LOL! See what I did right there???

 

You can certainly call me BFT. Heck, I've sure been called worse. LOL. As for the offseason, I was here the whole time but I was also at Disneyworld. LOL. My Disney schedule revolves around the Steelers schedule. Seems reasonable to me.

 

In the literal sense, you'd have to say that the last play of SB49 was the definitive yes to the question but I know you are referring to the course of a game. In those cases it is harder but still I'd have to say yes. No question that certain plays dictate future play-calls whether they are successful or not. For example, take a long PI call on a defense (I'm looking at you Flacco and then I laugh), that might lead to an immediate fumble recovery where-as a non-PI call might have just led to a punt or longer TD drive.

 

I truly believe certain plays can wreck a team's morale and lead to a loss, even in the first quarter. Justin Brown fumbling early against the Ravens last year, special team gaffes (missed FGs, kickoff returns for TDs), etc. I bet if you look at the modern history of the NFL you'd find that an overwhelming percentage of teams that gave up a return TD went on to lose. Those things just suck the life out of a sideline.

 

No. A single play doesn't determine the outcome of a game. Some plays have way more impact on the outcome than others, but a single play cannot be 100% the only reason why we win/lose that particular game.

 

I think I heard that Bellicheat believes that 3-5 plays determine an outcome, and if those plays go your way, you win. That is why he is so detail oriented - you never know which plays they will be, so you have to play like every play it that one that will matter.

Or cheat.

 

Ya know what's weird about that AB play is that I always figured Ben was probably over the LOS when he threw it to him anyway. I forgot to go back and watch it at the time to confirm it but I remember when it was live that was what I thought. Do you know for sure? Of course that's just one play that I thought of as an example. Another play I would cite is where Ben made the shoestring tackle in the Colts game in 05. One player even said that play "saved our season". So it's like players don't care to say one play won the game but they won't say one play lost the game. However if the refs had actual eyes that worked they would have never overturned Troy's INT and that play would have never happened. But I know that would be asking too much. LOL.

 

I think those "types" of plays are more of "turning points" than anything else. They'll either turn the game into a loss or a win!

 

Usually a well played Football Game will come down to a handful of plays . Most of he time those plays occur in the Redzone or Deep in your own territory . It's not always the big play sometimes just that simple 1st. down so your D can rest or getting off the field on 3rd. down or a 60 yard punt . I could go on and on but you get the point this is why I love the game of Football..For those moments....

 

Wait ...what....Dick Lebeau is a dinosaur??

 

Kind of like the Kevin Bacon Six Degrees of Separation game. The thing about the three plays you bring up is that they each occurred while there was still plenty of time to overcome any and all of them. Its the cumulative impact though that made game one so sick.

 

Blount, yes they do. See KC game tonight

 

That's exactly what I was thinking.