There aren’t many more anticlimactic ways to start a season than settling for a tie. You prepare all offseason to go out and win — to try for anything else is a disservice to everyone involved. But for first-year Texans head coach Lovie Smith, he seemed more than happy to take that tie into Week 2.
The Texans saw a 17-point lead disappear in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Colts. And it wasn’t pretty. After jumping to that 17-point lead, the Texans completely stalled on offense with four punts and a fumble in the second half. But when the Colts’ Rodrigo Blankenship missed a field goal in overtime, the Texans still had a chance to steal a win.
Smith was just unwilling to chance it on fourth down at midfield. With 20 seconds left in the game on 4th and 3, Smith sent out the punting unit to concede the tie. And man, it was such a gutless call.
You can take Lovie Smith out of the Big Ten, but you can’t take the Big Ten out of Lovie Smith. pic.twitter.com/IpJd9OBHAR
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) September 11, 2022
Of course, there’s always the element of risk when making coaching decisions throughout a game. But with 20 seconds to go, you’d like to see a coach believe in his team to pick up three yards and get into field goal range. Worst case, you’re asking the Colts to make a big play and have an unreliable kicker convert in 20 seconds.
By punting, Smith signaled that he didn’t believe in his team. You can’t blame fans for being frustrated with that decision.
This was how Twitter reacted
The fans boo heartily as Lovie Smith decides to play for the tie and punt it on fourth and three from near midfield.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) September 11, 2022
Lovie Smith playing for a tie is peak Texans.
What an absolute coward. Wtf.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) September 11, 2022
Lovie Smith playing for a tie is the least surprising development of the day
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) September 11, 2022
What do you have to lose? I can’t believe Lovie Smith didn’t go for the win.
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) September 11, 2022
40 seconds left. 4th and 3 with the ball on the opposing side of the field and you punt.
You’re telling your team on Week 1 you’re fine with playing for a tie.
That’s how Lovie Smith decided to set the tone for the season.
Boos rain down from NRG stadium and rightfully so.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) September 11, 2022
I hate Lovie Smith's decision here. Great for the Colts, who likely get out of there with a tie, but a terrible call there.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) September 11, 2022
I’d fire Lovie Smith right now
— Mike (@mhc_76) September 11, 2022
Punting? You play to win the game. Gutless call by Lovie Smith.
— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) September 11, 2022
Lovie Smith playing for a tie week 1 – should be instant fireable offense
— Liam Murphy (@ChessLiam) September 11, 2022
There’s really no reason to punt in that situation.
