No. This is a common misconception. Scenario 1: using the timeout before 2 minute warning After play 1-timeout Cleveland after play 2-2 minute warning Scenario 2: using the timeout after 2 minute warning Play 1-2 minute warning Play 2-timeout cleveland, 1:54 approximately left You save time by using timeouts before the 2 minute warning instead of after. The only situation you don't want to use a timeout before the 2 minute warning is if a play ends with 2:05 or under left. If it does that, then calling the timeout before the warning just gives the other team a free passing play (since the clock would stop automatically after the next down). In all other situations, you want to use it before. You got the scenario wrong. After the first play, they had to run a second one before the 2 minute warning regardless of whether or not a timeout was called. There was 2:55 left. Ah. Sorry for the mixup. They only had 1 timeout with 2:55 left? I don't think it matters which play of 1st and 2nd you call it on, it sets up the exact same situation each time. If they don't use the timeout early, it goes play play 2 mins play timeout punt, so they get the ball with about 1:45 left. The way they did it, it went play, timeout, play, 2 min, play, punt, ball with 1:23 left. Also, Grossman coming in the game and fumbling his first snap was just wonderful.