Strange AI in Penalty Situations

[NoSkillz]

In one of my multiplayer leagues, I had this situation pop up:

Our opponents have a 3rd and goal situation from our three yard line. Here's the aftermath of the play:

San Francisco: Single-Back formation with four receivers, strength is left. The defense is in a 34 with nickel personnel and 2-deep bump-and-run coverage, expecting the run. Barton is blitzing.
3-3-STL03 (2Q: 12:07) Vegas Ferguson ran inside the right guard for -1 yards. Tackled by DE Dexter Manley. PENALTY: San Francisco was called for Offensive Holding.

So, we stop them on third down but we ACCEPT THE PENALTY?!? Why would we do that? It's still a chip shot field goal from the 13 yard line and we give them another shot at scoring a TD??

Do I really need to tell you what happens next?

San Francisco: Strong formation with three wideouts, strength is right. The defense is in a 34 and strong-side man, otherwise cover-7 zone coverage, keying aggressively on the pass.
3-13-STL13 (2Q: 11:57) Jim Kelly pass completed to WR Fred Nixon for 13 yards and a TOUCHDOWN! The quarterback threw away from the double coverage. San Francisco 6, St. Louis 0

Can anyone help me understand why any team would accept a penalty in that situation??

[jdavidbakr]

That is odd. One would expect the logic to be that you would decline the penalty if the play resulted in 4th down. I can't think of any reason you would accept a penalty if the result of the play was a 4th down?

[Ben E Lou]

Never seen that one. All I can guess is that the goal to go is confusing the code.

[Firefly]

Never seen that one. All I can guess is that the goal to go is confusing the code.

Well, it's not the only thing confusing the code. Look at what just happened to me last night:


4-3-GBY36 (2Q: 00:17) Levon Davis attempted a 53 yard field goal and succeeded. PENALTY: Green Bay was called for Offsides.
Detroit: Strong formation, strength is right. The defense is in a 34 with dime personnel and 3-deep zone coverage, keying aggressively on the pass.
1-10-GBY31 (2Q: 00:11) Jerald Krumrei pass was thrown incomplete, intended for TE Peter Geer.
Detroit: Single-Back formation, strength is left. The defense is in a 34 with dime personnel and 3-deep zone coverage, keying aggressively on the pass.
2-10-GBY31 (2Q: 00:05) Jerald Krumrei pass completed to WR Calvin Johnson for 8 yards. Tackled by S Danieal Manning. Johnson gained 6 yards after the catch.
end of the half
Not only do we take that amazing FG off the board, but we don't even attempt another one. $%&# Otto! The game went to OT, and this stupid decision could have cost us the game! And it's not the first time. After suffering the last few seasons from the AI going run-run-run and settle for a FG in goal situations at the end of the first half, now I'm seeing my team routinely pass on FG kicking opportunities to throw short passes and let the clock run out.

It's really starting to piss me off.

[Ben E Lou]

That's a fairly well known issue. If the score is tied, the game doesn't recognize that it should go for a FG for the most part. I think it will only attempt one on fourth down, and maybe one or two other narrow sets of circumstances.

[Firefly]

Yeah, but combined with taking points off the board, it's really infuriating