Game theory: Super Bowl 2015
When most people think of football, they think about the deep throws, the one handed catches, and the big hits. The aspect of the game that is most overlooked, however, is the strategy that goes into the game. The main focus of this article is the 2015 Super bowl game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Game theory analysists have studied the last play of the game(a game ending interception in the end zone) and have come to a conclusion supporting Pete Carroll’s decision.
Game theory was introduced with the Prisoner’s Dilemma game, we all know well. In the game, the prisoners can either cooperate or defect and based upon what the other prisoner does, they get a different payoff. However, the best choice for each of them is to defect because neither one can be punished for it in the future.
Returning to football, Mr. Wolfers, speaking of a three turn game(i.e. second down), suggests that the best course of action is a mix of pass and run throughout the season in order to maintain an element of randomness. However, during the last three plays of the season, this goes right out the window. However, the first play in the set of three can still have a signaling effect to the opposing coach. This play could have been executed in order to confuse the opposition.
Thinking about sports, especially football where there are specific plays that are made, game theory is very relevant. A lot of success comes from successfully anticipating and responding best to the opposition’s moves. The possibilities are almost endless for football for example but it is still interesting to consider.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/gametheory/2015/02/applying-game-theory