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

[BWEISS]

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

what was bad was the spot

That was a terrible call, it was 4th and 2 and they went for a 2 1/2 yard pass when Belichick should know the D would be playing up

[ralaw]

It seems Belichick wanted to control the outcome of the game, so he went for it. Either way the defense only had to stop Manning and company from scoring a touchdown and this was probably his thought in going for it at the time. In that situation I don't think there is a right or wrong call.

[Point Blank]

Definitely a terrible call. I would of punted it. You never know what could of happened.

Tom Brady looked sick to his stomach. :laugh:

[KillaK]

He should have went for a bigger pass play, not one thats right at the first down marker. Another step and BB looks like a god, good game though.

[FedEx227]

It's nearly impossible to defend the move though. I understand WHY he did it in a way, but it's just inexcusable and football stupid. I usually support most of BB's moves but this one just did not make sense. You can say whatever you want about how good Manning is, how little faith he has in his defense, but the risk is not worth the reward in my mind, especially considering it wasn't just a 1 point or 2 point lead but a 6.

[Senser81]

For those of you defending the call, what if the situation was 4th and 2 on the Patriots own 8-yard line? Would you agree with Belichick going for it in that situation? If not, what makes it different?

[MmmmBeeeeer]

Terrible reasoning IMO. Sure Manning led the Colts down the field quickly before, but there's no guarantee that he can do it again within two minutes. The field position is a huge factor in this case. The probability of Manning leading a successful 70 yard TD drive withing two minutes is a hell of a lot less than a 30 yard TD drive in the same amount of time.

Also, didn't the Pats bring out their punt team before burning their last TO? IIRC, that doesn't seem to indicate the Pats were in four down mode.

Would you bet against that?

[jms493]

For those of you defending the call, what if the situation was 4th and 2 on the Patriots own 8-yard line? Would you agree with Belichick going for it in that situation? If not, what makes it different?

this would almost be better as they would almost guarantee getting the ball back with more time left...unless the colts get gutsy and try and run the clock while trying to score a TD.

[killgod]

For those of you defending the call, what if the situation was 4th and 2 on the Patriots own 8-yard line? Would you agree with Belichick going for it in that situation? If not, what makes it different?

Yes I would still agree.

If they failed (which they did) the plan would then be to give up the major as quickly as possible.


The way I see it is this.

Option A) Give Manning and the Colts, 2 mins, 1TO and a TD to win....from 60-70 yards out.

Option B) Give Brady and the Pats, 1 min with a FG to win from 30-50 yards from FG range.


I'd prefer option B, considering Manning already had two TD drives of similar length in the same quarter.

Option B also gave them an opportunity to drive 2 yards on one play....which would almost seal the game too by giving them a fresh set of downs at the 2 min warning and just 1 TO for the defence.


They seriously should have instructed the defence to pick up and carry Addai into the endzone if need be.

[MmmmBeeeeer]

For those of you defending the call, what if the situation was 4th and 2 on the Patriots own 8-yard line? Would you agree with Belichick going for it in that situation? If not, what makes it different?

I actually see what his thinking was...the Patriots had those short plays all game long, and if they would have gotten the first down its game over. Its a huge risk and he took it. If they would have gotten the first down, Patriots fans would be jerking it to him making such a risky call, and how much of a genius he is.

I just think Belichick was looking for the headshot, not really being concerned about the consequences.

Also, Peyton said they don't practice the 2 minute drill, in practice its a minute thirty to go 70 yards. Other Colts players said it wouldn't have mattered if they had to go 30 or 70 yards ;)

[FedEx227]

Would you bet against that?

No, but logic and reasoning say you test your luck with that. Why are you going to give him a short field? Peyton is god and he most likely would have driven them close and maybe would've won it either way, but you don't give him the chance to do it on a short field.

Again, the risk did not meet the reward considering the Pats had a 6 point lead. Show some faith in your defense and let Peyton try and drive them down the field again.

[Deviant]

Terrible call by Belichick. He's scared of Peyton Manning. If this were JaMarcus Russell (or any other QB for that matter), he would have punted.

The ref's spot was correct. Think of it this way. Do you give credit to a catch that is bobbled out of bounds and then caught? Then why should "forward progress" count when he DIDN'T have possession and was bobbling?

[Gonzo]

Terrible call by Belichick. He's scared of Peyton Manning. If this were JaMarcus Russell (or any other QB for that matter), he would have punted.

The ref's spot was correct. Think of it this way. Do you give credit to a catch that is bobbled out of bounds and then caught? Then why should "forward progress" count when he DIDN'T have possession and was bobbling?

You keep Peyton Manning's name outta your mouth. Don't ever mention him in the same breath as JaMarcus Russell.

[killgod]

You keep Peyton Manning's name outta your mouth. Don't ever mention him in the same breath as JaMarcus Russell.

they are forever linked as first overall draft picks.

:bootyshake:

[ultfrisbee]

they are forever linked as first overall draft picks.

:bootyshake:

IIRC, Manning wasn't...