“Sweet Play of the Week No. 2: After Chicago scored with 17 seconds remaining to take a 20-19 lead, Atlanta got the ball on its own 44-yard line with six seconds remaining, holding a timeout. Football logic pointed to the Falcons’ attempting a throw down the middle to reach field-goal range, then trying to call the timeout. Instead, Atlanta threw deep to the sideline; Michael Jenkins gained 26 yards and stepped out of bounds, stopping the clock with one tick. Atlanta then kicked a field goal to win. The Falcons did not need to throw to the sidelines because they held a timeout. Exactly! It was brilliant reverse psychology, with the Bears crowding the middle of the field and conceding the sidelines.”
