The Quarterback's NIghtmare

 No easy choice

It's the dying seconds of the game, and your team is down by one point. You have the ball after a last-minute touchdown, as QB you have a choice of options.

Option 1 - Kick the Field goal to tie the game, and play the extra time.

Option 2 - Try a trick play for two points to win the game.

Both have advantages and disadvantages.

While the FG is an easy point, it will force the team to play an extra quarter, and tired men make mistakes.

The trick play could win the game if, big if, it works.

Downers

If you tie the game, you are faced with a double-bind. If you kick, you need to keep the offense from your 40-yard-line to lessen the opportunity for an FG to the opposition.

If you receive, the choice is harder, you need to get to the opposition's 40-yard line to give your kicker the best chance of kicking the winning FG.

Either choice will force the defense to use pass coverage to lower the chance of long gains, and with men already tired from a hard game, the risk of a slip-up increases as the time runs down.

No matter what choice is made the armchair critics will be against you, but they are not on the field and are not worn out.