Frank Reich should regret not kicking a field goal late in the first half vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Frank Reich may be a Buffalo Bills legend already for playoff excellence, but his latest coaching gaff for the Indianapolis Colts may have tipped the scales late in the first half.
Though the visiting Colts only trailed 14-10 at halftime, Indianapolis opting to go for it on fourth-and-goal rather than attempt a chip-shot field goal with Rodrigo Blankenship may come back to haunt the Colts. Josh Allen and the Bills offense took over and orchestrated a lengthy draft to take the four-point lead heading into halftime. This gave the hometown Bills all the momentum early.
Twitter is not a fan of Frank Reich’s poor coaching decision to go for it
The Colts had their chances to seize control of this game in the first half, but let it all go in the final two possessions before halftime.
Know people will hammer Reich for not kicking a FG and going for the score.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 9, 2021
But that 96-yard drive shows you why Reich doesn’t want to settle for 3s.
And #BillsMafia gets ball to start 2nd half too.
https://twitter.com/minakimes/status/1347990331476897792
Bills cover 96 yards in 10 plays and 1:32. And the Colts' call to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 4 looms as a momentum changer.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 9, 2021
big trouble in little indy
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) January 9, 2021
While the Colts did have a fine season this year, they are a significant underdog on the road vs. the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Colts were up 10-7 and had first and goal on the four. They will trail at halftime 14-10.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/sethjoyner/status/1347990398224896000
In last two minutes of game action, Frank Reich and Gabriel Davis changed this game. #INDvsBUF
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) January 9, 2021
Frank Reich's conservative play-calling killed the Colts in that first half. Just awful.
— Steven Loung (@loung_s) January 9, 2021
If the Colts do not win on Saturday afternoon, this might be the final game of future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers‘ illustrious career.
I didn't expect Colts to win today, but it's gonna take me a long time to get over that Frank Reich goal line series.
— Collin (@cmccollo) January 9, 2021
The Colts are 1 of 3 in the red zone. Those missed opportunities typically come back to bite you in a playoff game. Gotta wonder if Frank Reich will look back and wonder if he really used his best plays in the red zone. #INDvsBUF
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) January 9, 2021
Frank Reich has completely outsmarted himself on this goal line sequence 🤦🏾♂️
— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) January 9, 2021
Overall, the Colts need to regroup and get back to playing some mentally sound football if they want to stun the Bills in Orchard Park. Keep in mind that Buffalo has not played a home playoff game since the Bill Clinton Administration. All the pressure is on Allen and the Bills to win at home in front of their fans for the first time this season. Reich did his part to potentially ensure that.
Will the Colts respond on their first possession of the second half to rectify Reich’s coaching gaff?