Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni bucked the trend of essentially automatically punting on fourth down.
Instead, the second-year head coach opted to keep offensive staff on the field in many situations in an attempt to secure a first down.
However, Sirianni’s aggressive approach was met with some criticism when it came to a pair of crucial fourth downs in Super Bowl LVII.
But, on 4 and 3 from the Eagles 32-yard line, trailing 28-27, with less than 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Sirianni decided to punt.
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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni walks onto the field with his team before Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The decision led to Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney’s record-setting 65-yard punt return. Tony was tackled just yards from the goal line, and just two plays later, Kansas City found its way into the end zone.
Despite the result, Sirianni stood by his decision.
«I think 32 of the 32 coaches in the NFL are punting there. No regrets,» Sirianni said.
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What other NFL coaches would have done in that situation is anyone’s guess, as the analysis was not in favor of Sirianni’s decision.
Sirianni kept up his normal aggressiveness late in the second quarter of the game, when he left the offense on the field at 4 and 5. With the game tied at 14, Philadelphia called a quarterback flip, resulting in a 28-yard gain. by Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker TJ Edwards (57) celebrates with head coach Nick Sirianni, right, after tackling Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the first half of the football game American NFL Super Bowl LVII, on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona USA (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Just five plays later, Hurts scored a touchdown on another quarterback tie. The Eagles then entered the locker room up 24-14 at the half.
Conversely, a conservative call by Chiefs coach Andy Reid resulted in a missed opportunity for Kansas City in the first quarter. With the game tied at seven, Reid and the Chiefs faced off on 4 and 3 at the Eagles 24-yard line.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks to the media during the Philadelphia Eagles media availability at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass on February 7, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Kicker Harrison Butker would go on to hit the left post and miss a 42-yard fielder. The miss seemed to change the momentum on the Philly side for much of the rest of the first half.
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The Chiefs could only gather 11 yards in eight plays until halftime.
The Eagles converted an impressive 22 fourth downs over the course of the regular season, which was the second most in the league.