The decision to go for the first down on fourth down or not is based upon the base offensive style in the active game plan at the time of the decision along with field position, distance to go, skill of the kicker, and max field goal setting. Score and time remaining are also factored in during the 4th quarter.
When a 4th down call is made, the engine determines the chance to pick up the yardage, the chance to make the field goal, and the likely field position of the opponent if you don't make it, miss the field goal, or punt. It then picks which option is the most favorable with regards to wanting to score while not putting the opponent in an easy scoring position. During the fourth quarter it will adjust the play call based on score and time remaining. The play aggressiveness setting affects the decision making by allowing you to go for it in more conditions as your aggressiveness increases, so a Very Aggressive settings doesn't always mean you will go for 4th, but you will go for it in more conditions than if the setting was more conservative.
The following is a table of expected calls to go for it on 4th down based on your aggressiveness settings and situation. The results are based on an average Kicker and team for the FGA. Results may vary based on your Kicker and team's ratings.
| Aggressiveness | Down | Go For It |
|---|---|---|
| Very Conservative | 4th and 1 | OPP 41 - OPP 30 |
| Conservative | 4th and 1 | OPP 45 - OPP 28 |
| 4th and 2 | OPP 32 - OPP 31 | |
| Balanced | 4th and 1 | OPP 48 - OPP 26, OPP 1 |
| 4th and 2 | OPP 36 - OPP 30 | |
| 4th and 3 | OPP 32 - OPP 31 | |
| Aggressive | 4th and 1 | OWN 47 - OPP 1 |
| 4th and 2 | OPP 41 - OPP 26, OPP 1 | |
| 4th and 3 | OPP 36 - OPP 29 | |
| 4th and 4 | OPP 34 - OPP 30 | |
| Very Aggressive | 4th and 1 | OWN 41 - OPP 1 |
| 4th and 2 | OPP 42 - OPP 24, OPP 14 - OPP 1 | |
| 4th and 3 | OPP 38 - OPP 27 | |
| 4th and 4 | OPP 35 - OPP 29 | |
| 4th and 5 | OPP 34 - OPP 30 |
All other situations will make a FGA according to your Max FG settings. Also, it will not Punt within the OPP 30. These decisions may be altered based on end of game situations, like needing to score a TD at the end of the game will force you to go for it on 4th rather than making a FGA.