I’m enjoying the ESPN documentary series on the Kansas Chiefs – The Kingdom.
The Chiefs are coached by Andy Reid, who’s long had clock-management issues.
I remember watching Super Bowl XXXIX (February 6, 2005) and the Eagles, then coached by Reid, were trailing by ten points and not running a hurry-up offense. What the heck?
Just like taking a tiny amount of blood can give you a vital read of someone’s condition, so too a glaring dysfunction on one NFL drive can give you a vital read on the deficiencies of some big stars.
Grok says: The Philadelphia Eagles, trailing 24-14 against the New England Patriots with 8:35 left in the fourth quarter, did not use a hurry-up offense effectively during their final significant drive. Here’s why, based on game accounts and analyses:McNabb’s Physical Condition: Donovan McNabb was physically drained after taking multiple hard hits, including a notable one from Richard Seymour. Teammates like Freddie Mitchell and Jon Runyan later said McNabb was winded, mumbling plays, and possibly hyperventilating, which hindered his ability to lead a fast-paced, no-huddle offense.
Poor Clock Management: Head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Brad Childress were criticized for not pushing a hurry-up approach. The Eagles huddled up, taking 3:45 to drive 79 yards for a touchdown, leaving only 1:55 after a failed onside kick. Terrell Owens noted that clock management was the responsibility of the coaching staff and quarterback, indicating a lack of urgency.
Patriots’ Defensive Pressure: The Patriots’ defense, under Bill Belichick, targeted McNabb’s mobility and wore him down with physical play, including uncalled late hits. This left McNabb less capable of executing a high-tempo offense.
Team Dysfunction: Reports suggest internal issues, with McNabb struggling to call plays clearly, forcing teammates like Mitchell to step in. Earlier mistakes, like an interception in the fourth quarter, also cost valuable time.
Despite this, McNabb completed 8 of 10 passes on the touchdown drive, showing resilience, but the combination of physical exhaustion, coaching decisions, and defensive pressure prevented a true hurry-up offense.
Andy Reid, despite being a highly successful NFL head coach, has faced consistent criticism for clock management issues in playoff games, particularly during his tenures with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Below are prominent playoff games where Reid’s clock management decisions were notably criticized, based on available analyses and reports:1. Super Bowl XXXIX (February 6, 2005) – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England PatriotsContext: Eagles trailed 24-14 with 8:35 left in the fourth quarter.
Clock Management Issue: The Eagles, needing two scores, ran a slow-paced drive, huddling up and taking 3:45 to cover 79 yards for a touchdown, leaving only 1:55 after a failed onside kick. Reid’s failure to employ a hurry-up offense was heavily criticized, as it limited the Eagles’ chance for a comeback. Commentators like Joe Buck noted the lack of urgency, and Reid later explained they were “trying to hurry up,” though the execution suggested otherwise.
Impact: The Patriots won 24-21, and Reid’s clock management became a defining narrative of the loss.
2. 2013 AFC Wild Card Game (January 4, 2014) – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis ColtsContext: The Chiefs led 38-10 in the third quarter but lost 45-44 in a historic collapse, the second-largest blown lead in NFL playoff history.
Clock Management Issue: While Reid’s clock management wasn’t the sole reason for the loss, his failure to control the game’s tempo in the second half contributed to the Colts’ comeback. The Chiefs’ offense slowed down, and Reid’s conservative play-calling allowed Indianapolis to dictate the pace, with Andrew Luck leading a 35-point comeback. Critics noted Reid’s inability to manage the clock effectively to protect the lead.
Impact: The Chiefs’ collapse highlighted broader game management issues, including Reid’s struggles to close out games.
3. 2015 AFC Divisional Round (January 16, 2016) – Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England PatriotsContext: Trailing 27-13 with 6:29 left, the Chiefs needed two scores to tie.
Clock Management Issue: The Chiefs’ final drive was marked by a lack of urgency, taking 5:16 to score a touchdown, leaving just 1:13 after a failed onside kick. Notable moments included wasting 23 seconds after a two-yard scramble by Alex Smith and 25 seconds after a 16-yard catch, with a particularly slow sequence at the goal line where only one play was run between the 3:00 and 2:00 marks. Reid defended the approach, saying they prioritized the “best play calls” and banked on recovering an onside kick, but critics called it one of the most baffling late-game sequences in playoff history.
Impact: The Patriots won 27-20, and Reid’s clock mismanagement was widely panned, with headlines like “Andy Reid goes full Andy Reid, mishandles clock to doom the Chiefs.”
4. Super Bowl LV (February 7, 2021) – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersContext: Down 14-6 with two minutes left in the first half, the Chiefs were set to receive the second-half kickoff.
Clock Management Issue: Reid called two timeouts after a Buccaneers’ first-down run and second-down completion, effectively giving Tampa Bay extra time to drive. The Bucs converted a third down and scored a touchdown with six seconds left, extending their lead to 21-6. This was described as “exquisitely horrendous” clock management, reminiscent of Reid’s Eagles-era struggles, as it handed momentum to Tampa Bay.
Impact: The Chiefs lost 31-9, and Reid’s timeout usage was cited as a critical error that deepened their deficit going into halftime.
Analysis and Context:Recurring Criticism: Reid’s clock management issues often involve slow offensive pacing when trailing (e.g., Super Bowl XXXIX, 2015 Divisional Round) or questionable timeout usage (e.g., Super Bowl LV). These moments stand out because they contrast with his otherwise stellar coaching record, including 14 playoff appearances in 20 seasons.
Defenders’ Perspective: Some, like former Eagles president Joe Banner, argue Reid’s approach is strategic, using timeouts early to settle the team or draw up optimal plays, differing from traditional clock management. However, this philosophy has backfired in high-stakes playoff games.
Counterpoint: Reid’s success, including three Super Bowl wins with the Chiefs (2019, 2022, 2023), suggests his clock management flaws are not fatal to his overall legacy. However, these playoff games remain prominent examples where his decisions drew significant scrutiny.
Conclusion:Andy Reid’s most notable clock management failures in playoff games include Super Bowl XXXIX (2005), the 2013 AFC Wild Card Game, the 2015 AFC Divisional Round, and Super Bowl LV (2021). These games highlight issues with slow pacing, poor timeout usage, and failure to control game tempo, often against strong opponents like the Patriots. While Reid’s overall coaching brilliance is undeniable, these moments have fueled a narrative of clock management as a persistent weakness in critical postseason situations.
