PHOENIX -- A common refrain in the aftermath of Super Bowl LI was that if Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn had overruled the decision of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to pass late in the fourth quarter, the New England Patriots’ historic comeback probably would have fallen short.
Play conservatively for a 37- to 40-yard field goal, make it a two-score game, and the Patriots likely wouldn’t have had enough time to pull off the comeback.
If only Quinn had stepped in as Shanahan called for a pass on second-and-11…
The stunning turn of events still is a hot topic eight weeks later, as evidenced by what unfolded Wednesday morning at the NFL’s annual meeting, when it wasn’t long before Quinn took his seat for the NFC coaches breakfast and was asked if he has second-guessed himself for not doing so (he said he hasn’t).