[ethbr1]

Some of it may be related to the 3-engine design, if Boeing had modeled that 2 engines still provided sufficient power in all scenarios.

But a takeoff does seem like the worst time to catastrophically lose 1/3 power, even without FOD intake by the central engine.

[foldr]

Certainly two engines would provide enough power in all scenarios, including take off. That’s a fundamental safety requirement that any airliner meets.