Washington Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Explains 2-Point Conversion Decision

The Washington Commanders had the opportunity to go for two and take the lead with less than two minutes left against the Seattle Seahawks. They declined, and now coach Ron Rivera is explaining why.

The Washington Commanders (4-6) have yet another game this season they’ll look back on and say, ‘We could’ve won that one.’ 

Late in the Commanders’ 29-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (6-3) they had an opportunity to take a one-point lead with a two-point conversion following what would be their final score of the game. 

Down by a touchdown, Washington quarterback Sam Howell found Dyami Brown in the middle of the field and the receiver did the rest for a 35-yard touchdown with 55 seconds left in the game.

An extra point tied the score at 26 but many wanted coach Ron Rivera to go for two and secure a 27-26 lead instead, adding more pressure on the Seahawks offense.

“In talking and trying to get a feel for it, the biggest thing that you get concerned with is how much time was left,” Rivera said. “They had two timeouts left…it was one of those things I liked our chances going into overtime. I liked the way we moved the ball. We found a couple things we felt we could exploit, and we did. We did it twice the last couple drives. Felt good going into overtime.”

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera reacts during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The business of creating narratives around NFL football is not a forgiving one, and after choosing not to go for two against the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this season the frustration there is now stacking with this week’s decision for some. 

But those who carry a grudge here are missing the greater point. 

Going for two in this week’s situation gains nothing for Washington, really.

A one-point lead is nice, but it leaves Seattle in the same situation a tie does, which is drive down the field with nearly one minute of game time and two timeouts to kick a game winning field goal.

Alternately, missing on the two-point conversion leaves Washington’s chances to win the game up to the randomness that is the onside kick, and likely ends the game without any further opportunities for the play on the field to determine the outcome.

Choosing to forego the two-point try with no time left against the Eagles simply isn’t the same as making the same decision with time and timeouts remaining on the other side against the Seahawks. 

While Rivera and his team are left again to answer the same questions about the Commanders’s defense as it has for most of the year, this two-point try conversation is one that should be tabled for another time.