OT- Strategy used by Harbaugh in declining a safety
Maybe I'm not reading it right, which is possible based on excitement level for the big game tomorrow. But if the 49ers were up by 7, and took a safety (which would increase the lead to 9), how in the world would it be possible to lose in 48 seconds?
Either way, Jim shook up Vegas a bit last night with the line being 7-8.5
October 19th, 2012 at 10:37 PM ^
It seems to me that the odds of the 49ers fumbling the snap and the Seahawks recovering--even despite a victory formation--would actually be somewhat higher than the odds of the Seahawks recoving an onside kick, scoring, recovering another onside kick, and scoring again within 48 seconds. Obviously the chances of either occurring are infinitessimally small, but still.
For that reason, I suspect the main consideration that was driving Harbaugh's decision was that taking the ball and kneeling would essentially enable the 49ers to end the game without any further risk of injury to their players. Had they taken the safety, then there is an on-side kick for sure--a play where the chances of an injury occurring seem somewhat increased--and if Seattle recovers, then a series of plays from scrimmage after that.
October 20th, 2012 at 2:08 AM ^
In addition to a kickoff, the other free kick is a kick after a safety (safety kick). A punt may be used (a punt may not be used on a kickoff).
On a safety kick, the team scored upon puts ball in play by a punt, dropkick, or placekick without tee. No score can be made on a free kick following a safety, even if a series of penalties places team in position. (A field goal can be scored only on a play from scrimmage or a free kick after a fair catch.)
I've just seen some comments saying that Seattle could have somehow scored off of a fumbled free kick but that doesn't appear to be the case. They may have recovered the fumble but would still had to have ran a play from scrimmage, scored, recovered an onside kick, and scored again.
I still believe Harbaugh made the correct call but assuming he takes the safety the odds of SF losing are almost non-existent.
*This is my first attempt at blockquoting so if it fails it is solely because I suck.
October 20th, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^