The late fourth-quarter question – presented first to Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and then Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid – wasn’t whether they wanted to gamble on fourth down.
The gamble was unavoidable. A gamble had to be made. The choice was which side to bet on – to punt or not to punt.
Stefanski kicked it. Reid didn’t. Kansas City won 22-17 to advance to the AFC championship game against Buffalo on Jan. 24.
Reid was celebrated for his courage. Stefanski faced questions about a lack of aggressiveness, even if that isn’t the best way to define it.