Teams Make Foolish Mistakes

While the NFL continues to provide us with tight matchups every week, the intensity rises, as every play matters more, turnovers become more costly, and penalties can destroy drives, altering the outcomes of games.

The teams that usually lose these close matchups are the ones that make mental errors, have self-inflicted wounds, and commit foolish mistakes.

On Sunday in the NFL, the Colts played a tough game against the Rams but fell short 20-27, thanks to 11 penalties and three turnovers, including Adonai Mitchell’s silly fumble right before the endzone.

The Jets had a chance on Monday Night Football but fumbled three times and had 13 foolish penalties, resulting in a 21-27 loss to the Dolphins.

In Las Vegas, the Raiders let the win slip away in part due to four turnovers, including three interceptions from Geno Smith and a fumble from Ashton Jeanty. Then, on their potential game-winning field goal, it was blocked by the Bears, who ended up winning 25-24.

The 49ers lost a surprising game to the Jaguars, but their receivers struggled with drops, and the team had trouble with four costly turnovers, including a fumble by Brock Purdy with under three minutes left, which led to a 21-26 loss.

Of course, the teams that win most often are the ones that can make the right decisions throughout the game, especially during crunch time, and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

The difference in these games also frequently comes down to coaching. The coaches who are the wisest down the stretch and call the right plays lead their teams to critical wins. On the flip side, we have seen poor coaching regarding clock management and foolish decisions made during tight games.

As fans, we watch our favorite teams and players make decisions throughout the game and are incredibly grateful when they make wise choices and avoid self-inflicted wounds.

It’s evident who the wisest players and coaches are, and they are that way for a reason. They value preparation, have learned from experience, study their opponent, remain humble, properly fear losing, and respond well in crucial moments.

Like players and coaches, we make choices that are either wise or foolish every day.

As thankful as we are to root for a football team that operates with wisdom, as followers of Jesus, we can be extremely grateful for the wisdom that helps us make the right decisions.

James 1:5 (AMP) says, “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.”

Proverbs 2:6 (ESV) states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

What a wonderful gift it is to have access to wisdom that God freely gives and leads to making decisions “down the stretch” that result in wins.

So, are we seeking wisdom and asking God for wisdom? Are we relying on His guidance to avoid mental errors, foolish mistakes, fumbles, drops, and self-inflicted wounds?

Are we gaining wisdom by valuing preparation, learning from our experience, studying our opponent, remaining humble, and properly fearing the Lord?

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Lastly, it’s also wise to always be thankful and to encourage one another in wisdom as Colossians 3:16 (ESV) implores us to “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Today, let’s revere and respect the Lord, looking to Him and His Word for wisdom. When we do, we’ll make wise decisions instead of foolish ones, and we’ll be grateful that we avoided the unnecessary “penalties” and “turnovers.”

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray You will give me the wisdom to make the right decisions. I ask You to help me avoid foolish mistakes, self-inflicted wounds, and mental errors. Thank you for Your grace when I do something unwise. Please fill my heart with gratitude for the wisdom You’ve generously given me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.