Why did the Redskins choose to Receive the ball on the opening possession?? (NOT complaining, just wondering)

[Rocky52Mc]

In Madden i always defer

And it's smart to do that. Because it's one person controlling the decision in a MUCH shorter time span. Thus, possessions = wins.

IN real football, the Redskins have strategy, can easily make someone punt on their first possession after halftime. Has absolutely nothing to do with Madden, it's confidence in your dynamic offense and defense to cover the field position.

[KCClybun]

The first half of the season, we would defer, the opposing team's offense would be on the field for eight minutes, and whether they scored or not it'd suck the wind out of our offensive gameplan.

Even if we go 3 and out on a first series, it gives us an idea of how the defense is going to play us, and the next series is (usually) better. Those opening drives are really about trying to figure out how a defense is going to play you so you can adjust accordingly.

Putting our defense out first kept getting us beat. Mike adjusted. We've won 7 in a row. Complaining about it now seems kinda silly in light of that.

[skinsdomination09]

Just for the record - as the title states, I was just wondering. I'm not complaining lol.

[kleese]

I'm going strictly off memory here, this might not be perfect, but lets analyze.

Deferred/or lost toss and kicked (and the results of each first drive):

Saints: No points, short drive

Rams: Defensive TD

Bengals: TD

Bucs: Decent drive, no points

Falcons: No points

Vikings: FG

Giants: No points

Steelers: TD

Panthers: No points

Eagles: Interception

Eagles: TD

So, over the first 10 games, we kicked off each time. In those 10 games, we have up two TDs on opening drives and one FG. We also scored one TD defensively and forced a turnover that setup another short TD. The Eagles won the toss the second time and scored a TD.

So, 11 games = 24 points surrendered, 7 points earned, and directly responsible for 7 more.

In the games we've received:

Cowboys: Three and out

Giants: Three and out

Ravens: TD

Browns: Three and out

Cowboys: Three and out

In five games we scored one TD and went three and out the other four times.

I'd say deferring has worked better for us. Especially when you consider that our drives to start second halves has been much better than our drives to start games