Billy Penn’s Mark Dent, doing double-duty for Politifact, has taken on Doug Pederson’s assertion that “Your chances of throwing it [on a two-point attempt] are actually a little bit better in that situation.”

While Politifact usually tackles politicians’ statements, Dent looked into Doug’s statement and ruled it “false.”

Let’s start by confirming Pederson is not alone in favoring the pass. In regular season games since 2012, according to Pro Football Reference, teams have gone for two 366 times. They have passed the ball 275 of those times, a 75 percent rate.

Teams have been successful on 132 of the passing attempts, 48 percent. That’s pretty good, and statisticians have been saying for years teams should go for two more often.

But for rushing the ball, conversion rates are even better. Since 2012, 48 of the 91 two-point conversion rushing attempts, 53 percent, have been successful.

Pederson, perhaps more than anyone, should know rushing the ball can be effective on a two-point conversion. Though the sample size is tiny, the Eagles ran the ball three times up the middle this year for a two-pointer. They were successful each time, including early in Sunday’s game.

Dent closes by saying while Pederson’s decision may have been right in that context – even though it didn’t work – his reasoning was wrong, which I’m pretty sure could be the judgement on 90% of what Doug says.

[h/t r/Eagles]