This is the second game a scoop and score was the difference maker.
The difference was this one was a stupid call to start with. Even if it succeeds, it was still a dumb call.
First, you're in plus territory with the clock on your side and the wind behind your back. Your star running back has just gained you 8 yards.
Give it to him again. He hadn't been stopped for a loss on a downhill run the entire game. Even if they are playing tight, the chances of him being stopped for loss are slim. At worst, you're in 3rd and 2, and you're still in plus territory with time off the clock, the wind behind your back, and a kicker who has seemingly found his leg and confidence.
You DON"T run a play that is designed to go to the one person on the team who has had the worst season so far, hasn't caught the ball consistently to begin with and struggles to hold on to it anyhow, with the defense playing up so if he does catch it it goes nowhere anyway. It was a play that had no chance of success anyway.
Dumb call, bad result, ballgame.
People can say its easy to Sunday morning QB. Normally, that's true. But last night, even the living room coaches were making the right call on that play.
