But the 3rd down pass call would have been obvious. Carroll's coordinator didn't like their odds of a 2nd down run working. They might have lost yardage, and if it came to a do or die 4th down, well, they might have had more than 1/2 yard to go.
That makes just as much sense. That is, until you remember that Marshawn Lynch is your running back. He's probably the best short-yardage back in the league, and you need 1/2 a yard. I like those odds all day long.
If they ran the ball, there is a better than average chance they would have scored. If they didn't, they could have called a timeout and thought over their next two plays.