It's been more than a decade and Andy Reid is still running the five-minute version of the two-minute drill.
On Feb. 6, 2005, the Eagles faced the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, the Eagles needed a quick score. Instead, Donovan McNabb methodically worked his way down the field on a 13-play drive, eventually scoring a touchdown to cut the Patriots' lead to three. That drive started with 5:40 left in the game. By the time the Eagles reached the end zone, only 1:55 remained in the game. They ended up running out of time.
On Saturday, the Chiefs faced the Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. Trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs needed a quick score. Instead, Alex Smith methodically worked his way down the field on a 16-play drive, eventually scoring a touchdown to cut the Patriots' lead to seven. That drive started with 6:29 left in the game. By the time the Chiefs reached the end zone, only 1:13 remained in the game. They ended up running out of time.
Those two paragraphs are identical for one reason: Andy Reid, who coached both of those teams.
Andy Reid's clock management in art form... pic.twitter.com/Mz5C7m1Nki
— Michael Tanier (@MikeTanier) January 17, 2016
Amazingly, the Chiefs were situated at the Patriots' 1-yard line with just under three minutes remaining in the game, and they ended up getting off just ONE snap before the two-minute warning. Coming out of the break, the Chiefs were immediately penalized for a false start. On the next play, Smith threw a pass SHORT of the goal line.
Then, they huddled.
This is pretty much Andy Reid's coaching career in one photo. #KCvsNE #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/cEoAe8p4vo
— John Breech (@johnbreech) January 17, 2016
Why? Some working theories:
Andy Reid: And we're going to overti.....wait....27-20????
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) January 17, 2016
Chiefs trying to run out the clock for the GW FG.
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) January 17, 2016
Another theory: He's Andy Reid -- a damn good coach with one fatal flaw.
And, what do you know, that flaw ended up costing the Chiefs. When the Patriots recovered the ensuing onside kick and picked up a first down thanks to a wacky tip play, the game ended. The Patriots simply kneeled out the remaining time on the clock, ending the Chiefs' season.
