It seems like the offensive skill players make little mistakes that should be no-brainers.

Stuff like knowing where the sticks are. I can't tell you how many times I've had to repent for cursing when a player has the ball, is a yard from a first down, and then runs backwards two steps trying to get 10 yards when he NEEDS to get 2. Take the two yards! Move the chains!

On the Hifo jet sweep, he needed to recognize that the play was blown up and he wasn't getting into the endzone, so just get as many yards back as you can so there are fewer yards needed for the next play. He needed to cut up inside his blocker and just take what he could get. The blocker was pushed back into the backfield so far that when he ran back to go around him, it just gave more defenders more time to come and and catch him for a greater loss.

Just take the yards you can. Not every play has to be huge - but the plays need to not be negative. Take the first down when it's there. Really.