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Le Grande Orange · 01-04-2009, 12:17 AM

Can someone explain to me why NFL teams insist on spending their time outs just a few seconds before the 2:00 minute mark?

Case in point: the San Diego-Indianapolis game. There's 2:41 left in the game, Indy has the ball deep in their own territory, and SD only has two timeouts left. But the Chargers spend use their two timeouts before the two minute mark even though the clock is going to stop at the two minute mark anyway. This makes no sense to me. What's the point of using up your timeouts to stop the clock when it's going to stop in 41 seconds anyway?

Okay, maybe you've saved a few seconds, but you've also deprived your offense of two timeouts, cutting down your options to get downfield to tie the game. Now you have to throw sideline or incomplete passes, or if you run the ball, you have to waste a down to spike the ball to stop the clock. Are you really any better off than had you saved your timeouts and started your chance with the ball with a few less seconds on the clock?

Personally, I'd rather have fewer seconds but with timeouts remaining since you can stop the clock instantly and without wasting a down.

01-04-2009, 12:17 AM	#116
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,642	Can someone explain to me why NFL teams insist on spending their time outs just a few seconds before the 2:00 minute mark? Case in point: the San Diego-Indianapolis game. There's 2:41 left in the game, Indy has the ball deep in their own territory, and SD only has two timeouts left. But the Chargers spend use their two timeouts before the two minute mark even though the clock is going to stop at the two minute mark anyway. This makes no sense to me. What's the point of using up your timeouts to stop the clock when it's going to stop in 41 seconds anyway? Okay, maybe you've saved a few seconds, but you've also deprived your offense of two timeouts, cutting down your options to get downfield to tie the game. Now you have to throw sideline or incomplete passes, or if you run the ball, you have to waste a down to spike the ball to stop the clock. Are you really any better off than had you saved your timeouts and started your chance with the ball with a few less seconds on the clock? Personally, I'd rather have fewer seconds but with timeouts remaining since you can stop the clock instantly and without wasting a down. Last edited by Le Grande Orange; 01-04-2009 at 12:18 AM.