The New England Patriots have been one of the more elite football teams over the last decade, having won three Super Bowls over the course of the last ten years. The other power house? The Indianpolis Colts. Now unlike the Patriots, who seem to be a love/hate type of team, the Colts have not been able to pull through when it comes time for the playoffs. They have proven that playing well during the season isn’t enough to win a championship. (Peyton Manning and the Colts have only one the Super Bowl once in the last decade).
So on Sunday night, two of the best teams in the league butted heads in a rivalry that is always a thriller. I am sure many of you sports fans already know the story, but I will briefly explain. The game started out very high paced, with New England controlling virtually the first three quarters. Now for all of you math enthusiasts, I’m sure you have already figured out that there was still fifteen minutes for Peyton Manning to work with. After climbing uphill most of the game, Peyton and the Colts were able to set the score at 34-28, or a one possession game. After punting the ball back to Pats with about four mintues left on the clock, the Colts’ defense went to work. They were able to hold the Patriots’ offense to a 3-and-out…or so many fans and viewers thought. At there own 28-yard line, with 2:08 remaining, and a 6 point lead, Bill Belichick decided to go for it. The rest I will let you see for yourself:
Before I begin, let’s give some kudos to Colts safety Melvin Bullitt, who made the tackle which prevented any further Patriots progression.
Now whether the decision was respectable or not lies in the hands of many angry Patriots fans, and many Colts fans who are simply happy to remain undefeated. The fact of the matter is that the Patriots failed to convert two yards. Not four, not five, but two yards. Whenever you make a decision as vital as the one Belichick made on Sunday, you need to be sure that your offense will pull through.
Now here is my case. Why give the ball to Peyton Manning with only 28 yards separating him from the endzone, when you can punt it away and make him drive 70 yards down the field? It blows my mind to think that Bill Belichick disregarded the consequences of not converting that fourth down, but it absolutely shocks me when I realize it was against the Colts. Indy is very impressive team, and they have been for years. I do believe that Peyton Manning and the Colts would have gone down the field and win it even if the Patriots punted it, but whats done is done.
Bill Belicick is a respectable coach, and he has made some very wise decisions in the past. It’s unfortunate that things happened the way they did for him, but sometimes Bill, that’s how the cookie crumbles.
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