I agree that blaming the rooks for bad mistakes left the vets with get out of jail free cards. I doubt that they will get off during film sessions.
As to the initial point about failing to go for it on 4th at the Jets' 34 yard line, I agree with Saleh's decision. If it was closer to midfield, going for it might make better sense, but given the way the offensive line was playing, punting was the better option IMO. Their running game wasn't exactly scintillating at that point and the Ravens were stacking the box. I don't care what analytics might say. Going for it and failing or giving up a fumble would have been a disaster. The defense was playing well in the Ravens' end. The momentum swing with a failed attempt would have been against the Jets' defenses' ability to prevent a score. Comparing this call to Dabol's 2 point conversion is a false equivalency. The Jets were struggling and Wilson's valiant effort was all that almost saved a bad series. LaFleur's calls needed to be better as well. The Giants on the other hand had just scored a TD to bring them to point that a 2-point conversion would make a difference and their spirits were high.
I agree that blaming the rooks for bad mistakes left the vets with get out of jail free cards. I doubt that they will get off during film sessions.
As to the initial point about failing to go for it on 4th at the Jets' 34 yard line, I agree with Saleh's decision. If it was closer to midfield, going for it might make better sense, but given the way the offensive line was playing, punting was the better option IMO. Their running game wasn't exactly scintillating at that point and the Ravens were stacking the box. I don't care what analytics might say. Going for it and failing or giving up a fumble would have been a disaster. The defense was playing well in the Ravens' end. The momentum swing with a failed attempt would have been against the Jets' defenses' ability to prevent a score. Comparing this call to Dabol's 2 point conversion is a false equivalency. The Jets were struggling and Wilson's valiant effort was all that almost saved a bad series. LaFleur's calls needed to be better as well. The Giants on the other hand had just scored a TD to bring them to point that a 2-point conversion would make a difference and their spirits were high.