3 maddening Ron Rivera quotes after Commanders’ loss to Lions

2. Defending the two-point conversion attempt

Commanders Twitter was set ablaze following this decision.

After an Antonio Gibson cut the Lions lead to 29-21, Washington was suddenly an extra point away from making it a seven-point game. Of course, they attempted a two-point conversion, which was doomed from the start as the Lions generated pressure and Carson Wentz was forced to ditch the pocket.

The thinking here is going for two would remove pressure later in the game had Washington got within striking distance of Detroit. That didn’t happen, as the Lions drove right down the field to go back up two scores, 36-21.

To rub salt in the wound, the Commanders executed another quick-scoring drive to bring them within nine only for Joe Slye to miss the extra point which effectively ended the game.

"“It’s in the math. It’s in the math,” Rivera said of the decision. “You guys should appreciate the analytics of it. Okay.”"

We can definitely see the logic in the decision, but just kick the point after and go down seven. Worry about converting the two-point attempt when it’s absolutely called for. Don’t dig yourself a bigger hole when the defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed.