[Smell The Glove]

Billy Bibbit got it exactly right imo. The coaches are playing to deflect criticism from themselves personally, rather than playing to maximize their chances of winning the game. If the Cardinals go for the TD and don't make it, then it's the coach's decision that led directly to the loss. If the Cards kick the field goal and then lose in overtime, then the problem is the players or luck or the other team or whatever.

It's the same reason that MLB teams bunt too much and overpay for mediocre veterans. Also NBA teams taking star players out of the game when they get 3 fouls in the first half.

If sports fans were less results-oriented, things might be different.