I have to be critical of Shannahan here
When it was tied at 24, Washington had the ball around the 40 on a 4th and short. He should have went for it regardless what the announcers said because in that scenario, teams convert about 70% of the time. The odds favor it because W/ a punt, you generally aren't surrendering that much field position. It almost worked out due to a boneheaded decision by a Cincinnati player but the ball was placed at the 20 and in 2 plays (I think) Cincinnati was operating in Washington territory. I'd support the decision if he had a great defense but they allowed a shit ton of passing yardage against New Orleans, St. Louis, and Cincinnati.
He also went against the odds last week against St. Louis when he tried for a 62-yard field goal when he should have went for it on 4th & 16. He was more likely to lose either way but he had a better shot of converting a 4th & 16 than making a 62-yard field goal. The odds are also unfavorable because even w/ a make, St. Louis had a minute left to win in regulation.
I used to have a high opinion of Shannahan but when I look at Kubiak and Houston and the success he had w/ running backs Steve Slaton, Arian Foster, and Ben Tate -- he deserves the credit for the ability to plug any running back and have a thousand yard rusher in Denver. Twice, he had two running backs w/ 900+ yards in the same year. 2004 in Denver and last year w/ Houston.
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