My honest belief as to why the coach chose to go for a 64 yard FG instead of trusting Russ to go for it on 4th and 5 is because of the pressure involved with his contract and the expectations. He didn't want to put Russ in a situation to win the game only to falter. That would have been potentially damaging to the way his teammates and fans perceive him. "Did we blow $250 million on someone who can't win a game for us?"
I do think it was a psychological decision. Had he thrown an incompletion or pick, the fallout could have been massive.
I do think it was a psychological decision. Had he thrown an incompletion or pick, the fallout could have been massive.