Doug Pederson on 3rd-and-8 Swing Pass: I Would’ve Called the Same Thing Again

With the Philadelphia Eagles up 23-16 midway through the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys and in field-goal range at the 30-yard line, Darren Sproles lost six yards on a swing pass in the right flat.

Let’s call a swing pass on 3rd & 8 and then not attempt a 53-yd FG when your kicker is 17/18 on yr and hit a 55-yd FG earlier pic.twitter.com/kar2mcqFZJ

— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) October 31, 2016

Head coach Doug Pederson then elected to punt the ball instead of kick a 53-yard field goal and the Cowboys scored a touchdown on their ensuing possession to tie the game at 23-23. Dallas, of course, wound up winning the game in overtime 29-23.

Pederson, however, stated Monday during his press conference that he would’ve called the same play again in that situation.

Pederson on the 3rd-and-8 swing pass: I would’ve called the same thing again pic.twitter.com/nywWjpr3jH

— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) October 31, 2016

I wouldn’t have called that play with an opportunity to go up by two scores, but it’s more than just that. Pederson needs to allow Carson Wentz to throw the ball past the sticks and trust his quarterback to make the right decision. Instead, Sproles loses six and the momentum quickly swung back in the Dallas Cowboys’ favor.