4th and 2 from your own 28, you're up by 6 and there's less than 2 minutes to go...

[Bear Pand]

you play to win the game, it was a good call.

what was bad was the spot

your Colts hate is blinding you

call was awful

[Gonzo]

While I agree that it was a bad call, I wonder how much hate BB and Co. would be getting had that 4th and 2 worked meaning they would've ran the time out and won it?

[Len B]

Here's the reasoning why I think it wasn't a bad call -- it might not be right but I do like to have my own opinions:

-You have a hall of fame QB and WR, and your offense has not been stopped at all for most of the game. You either have to put the game in the hands of your HOF duo, or put it in the hands of an awful secondary. More importantly, a first down wins you the game. You put the game in your hands, and not hope that you can somehow stop Manning on four downs.

-Either way the Colts were going to be at the 30 yard line. There's no ifs/ands/buts about it... Manning moved the ball across the entire field in under two minutes the drive before, and the Patriots would end up being in prevent until the Colts got into the Patriots territory anyway. By allowing the Colts to start at the 30 you (should) at least give your offense a chance to come back for the game winning FG. However, Wilhite was a complete fucking idiot and made a "game saving tackle" at the 1 yard line.

-I don't get the "you have to trust your defense" logic. Why do you have to trust your defense, yet you can't trust your outstanding offense? Everyone in the world knew if the Colts were getting the ball back they were winning the game, yet everyone lol's when the Patriots tried to prevent that scenario.

With all of that said... if you know you are going for it on 4th down why you don't do two power runs on 3rd and 4th down is beyond me. A high risk out pattern to Welker, and then a curl to Faulk (kudos to Colts defensive coordinator for a surprising blitz play) was not the way to go about it.

Either way, it's just a week 10 game and this is not the end of the season for the Patriots. Making this into a big deal (like it will be) is pointless, considering both of these teams will be in the playoffs barring a horrible choke job by New England.

I also want to kill Wilhite for finally making a play on Joey Addai at the dumbest time.

[Len B]

While I agree that it was a bad call, I wonder how much hate BB and Co. would be getting had that 4th and 2 worked meaning they would've ran the time out and won it?

People would have called it genius. If it works you are a hero if it doesn't you are an idiot, so BB will have to suck it up and just beat the fuck out of teams from now on.

Years of great coaching and Superbowls > making one bad play call in week 10 of a season

[dave]

Belichick has nothing to apologize for.
He's the greatest coach of the 2000s ... and, IMO, the greatest NFL coach in history period.

[Len B]

This choke is no where near the level of their AFC title game loss.

[Len B]

Shocked 36% of people right now said it was at least an "alright call" on ESPN.com. Figured it'd be 90/10 since BB is hated so much.

[Liquidrob]

Izzy made that play call

4th and Izzy

[KoRnStARr]

Has nothing to do with Colts hate, lol, just a coaching decision. You have the chance to seal the game and end right then and there.

[Liquidrob]

Belichick has nothing to apologize for.
He's the greatest coach of the 2000s ... and, IMO, the greatest NFL coach in history period.

lol?

Fact: Every Pats super bowl ring is tainted

[dave]

You just said "no thanks" because of your previous "thanks" Rob.

I expect better from you.

[dave]

lol?

Fact: Every Pats super bowl ring is tainted

Belichick did what every coach does. Plays to win.

[kyhadley]

lol?

Fact: Every Pats super bowl ring is tainted

Fact: Thats not actually a fact.

[Liquidrob]

It was a bad call, he should have ran 'Double HB Circles' like Madden 03

[Liquidrob]

Belichick did what every coach does. Plays to win.

lol, if you were playing Belichick in Madden you would have quit and made a thread about it