Kicking yourself when you're down

On Sunday Night, the Steelers took a big chance. With about 4 mins left on the clock and a two point lead they went for an onside kick. The theory is simple. Your defense isn't playing very well and you want to get the ball back so you can run down the clock. If the other team gets the ball they will have a short field and probably score and then you can have the ball back with plenty of time left to put on a scoring drive. It's been hailed as a genius move, largely because it worked whereas Bill Belichicks famous 4th down decision against the Colts didn't. A few people disagree with this. And I'm one of them. So let's say first that you recover the onside kick and do so legally. Now you have to burn 4 minutes off the clock. It's that simple. If you go three and out, you give the ball back with enough time for the other team to score but not enough for you to get the ball back again and score yourselves. But what would be most alarming to me would be the thought of not recovering and giving the ball to the other team, with a short field (as happened). Foremost in my mind would be the realisation that they only need a field goal to take the lead. We have 2 timeouts and the two minute warning, but they have probably 39-yards to work with. That's more than enough space with which to keep the ball moving, keep the clock running, before finally taking the lead with the field goal. And now what happens? I have to go the length of the field again in order to get back into field goal range without much time in my pocket. Great. Honestly, if this decision had back fired it would have been a feeding frenzy for the media. As it stands, it looks like a great choice. But I don't buy it. A little more savvy from the Green Bay coaching staff (i.e. switch to your 4 minute offense), kick the field goal and this one is all but over. Bad call.