Warbler said:
Of course they didn't know it would be intercepted, but there was absolutely no need to risk it. Interceptions happen all the time.
so do fumbles, which could have happened if the hand-off didn't go right, or if Lynch didn't hold the football properly while running, or if a defender hit him just right and the ball pops out.
The difference is that a fumble can happen any time, including on pass plays. In fact, statistics show that not only are interceptions more likely on pass plays (duh), but fumbles are ALSO MORE likely on pass plays than on running plays:
http://archive.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2010/01/fumble-rates-by-play-type.html
It was a bonehead call.