I would hazard to guess it had to do with gaining experience and familiarity with both the system and new teammates. Goff has a new coach, a new system, a new offensive line (40% at least), and new receivers with no more than 3 quarters (estimated) of game time experience playing together. Leaving Goff, and Gurley, in through the 4th quarter won't speed up the learning process, but leaving him in through every 4th quarter throughout the season (regardless of score or situation) might hasten the time when all of the offensive elements come together. If that happens in week 7 instead of week 11, for example, it will help in the long run. That's just a guess, but I would have left Goff in as well. I am up in the air about Gurley, but Malcolm Brown did take over the HB position before the end.
