0:07 1st Down, 10 Yards to Go from Raider 44 yard line.
Decision #4: How many plays are left? A play that takes less than
seven seconds is unlikely to gain much yardage. Even if it stops the
clock by going out of bounds or falling incomplete, the Raiders would
have virtually the same circumstances again.
To whom should the ball be thrown? There are typically five eligible
receivers on a play. The possible receivers for this play include Cliff
Branch, Ted Kwalick, Morris Bradshaw, Dave Casper, Clarence Davis and
Pete Banaszak.
The most sure-handed Raider receiver of this game, Casper, could be used
but does not go on long pass routes nor does he have good speed. The
speediest player for the Raiders is Branch, but he has been held to only
one catch all game because of the excellent defensive play of Steeler
Mel Blount.
Do the running backs block? The Steeler defense must be anticipated.
If the Steelers put on a heavy rush, this is a must. If they don't, a
running back (preferably Davis, who is fast) can swing out and catch a
pass as a backup plan if the main receiver is covered. It should be
noted, though, that Davis has dropped at least three passes this game.
How deep should a pass go? Going into the end zone risks maximum
Steeler coverage but if the pass is caught, the Raiders score a
touchdown. Of course, the rule on defensive pass interference noted
above applies and even if time runs out, the Raiders would get a final
play from the one yard line.
Where on field should the pass go? The ice is hard to avoid, especially
near the sidelines. Players on both teams have had trouble with
slipping on offense and defense all day.
If the pass does not go to the end zone, could the receiver lateral the
ball to a second player who could then run for the goal line? This is
sometimes called the "hook and lateral play" and could catch the
Steelers by surprise.
Would a trick play work here, or perhaps a play totally unexpected, like
a draw play to Davis? He would have to get good blocks and avoid the
Steelers for 56 yards.
The Call: Stabler throws a pass intended for wide receiver Cliff Branch at the Steeler 15 yard line near the left sideline.
The Play: Branch catches the ball but Blount tackles Branch in-bounds as time runs out.
Result: GAME OVER
Final Score: Steelers 16, Raiders 10
---
Comments:
Al Davis remembers a play Jack Lambert made in the '75 season's AFC
championship game against the Raiders. "There were seven seconds left
and we were down 16-10," he says. "We hit Cliff Branch deep down the
sideline and he was going to lateral to Ted Kwalick, our tight end.
Lambert read it and positioned himself on Kwalick to take the lateral
away, and Mel Blount tackled Branch on the 15-yard line. It was a great
play by Lambert, a great read, and it never showed up in the stats."
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