Video: Maybe the dumbest football decision ever
posted at 10:55 am on November 16, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
How dumb was the decision by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to go for a fourth down on his own 28 … while leading by six points and with just two minutes on the clock? His defense had kept the Indianapolis Colts bottled up for most of the game, although they had tired a bit in the fourth quarter. A punt would have forced Peyton Manning to drive 70 yards in two minutes with one timeout, and Manning had thrown two interceptions and probably should have had another two passes picked in the game. Instead, Belichick — normally one of the brightest men in the sport — decided to roll the dice, and even Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth couldn’t believe he was serious until they saw the ball snapped:
The Boston Globe raises the specter of another BB — Bill Buckner (via Tom Maguire):
This was as bad as anything the Red Sox ever did. Had it been a playoff game, it would be right up there with Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner, Aaron Boone, and History Derailed in Glendale, Ariz.
And Bill Belichick played the part of Grady Little.
The Patriots lost to the undefeated Colts in unbelievable fashion last night. Leading, 31-14 in the fourth quarter, and 34-21 with 2:30 remaining, the Patriots took the choke and lost to their hated rivals, 35-34.
So the conference is gone, the playoff bye is probably bye-bye, and the (6-3) Patriots are saddled with a loss that will haunt them for the rest of the season.
And Belichick gets the blame. Too smart for his own good this time. The sin of hubris.
I almost turned this game off in the fourth quarter. When the Pats lead by two TDs at that stage of the game, they don’t lose, or at least they didn’t until last night. Hubris is exactly right; Belichick thought that his offense couldn’t be stopped, even though Tom Brady had almost thrown a pick on the previous play, another quick out to the flat.
Unbelievable.
Update: Collinsworth, not Cunningham. Need … more … coffee, especially after staying up too late watching the end of that game.
Update II: You never know with these threads. They either get a dozen comments, or 300. Meanwhile, King Banaian crunches the numbers in the Green Room to defend Belichick.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 … 5 Next »
Football is hard when they won’t let you cheat anymore
BuckNutty on November 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
On the flip side, the COlts did score two TDs in 2 minutes time in the 4th qtr prior to the decision.
WashJeff on November 16, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Hey Ed,
Chris Collingsworth, not Cunningham.
booter on November 16, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Football is hard when they won’t let you cheat anymore
BuckNutty on November 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
LOL! So true. Mr. B and the Pats don’t look so invincible anymore…
catlady on November 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Karma.
darclon on November 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Still not a worse loss than the miracle at the meadowlands, though that was not a coaching error.
TexasDan on November 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving jerk than Belichick. Living in the past am I, my Giants will take credit for the beginning of the end of the Patriots dynasty.
18-1 baby.
Russ
russcote on November 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM
How ’bout them Steelers, Ed? Swept by the Bungles this year?
BuckeyeSam on November 16, 2009 at 11:02 AM
It was a boneheaded decision, so bad that Tony Dungy criticized Belichick. So bad that Rodney Harrison, a former Patriot now part of NBC’s studio team, agreed with Dungy, saying that it tells the defense that they can’t stop people.
Meanwhile, the Vikings keep cruising, unlike a certain “terrible” team that couldn’t beat the Bungles.
LFRGary on November 16, 2009 at 11:02 AM
The call made sense to me. The patriot’s offense had already gained close to 500 yards, and they had chance to win the game while keeping Peyton off the field.
chansen9 on November 16, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I’m still stunned that Grady Little left Pedro in. Though I am happy about that outcome.
rbj on November 16, 2009 at 11:02 AM
If the Patriots make the first down – Belichick is a hero and a genius – which he is regardless.
I love reading all the brainiacs who know so much better.
Manning is tough to stop with 2 minutes left – I agree with the call the Patriots made – took guts.
jake-the-goose on November 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Perfect weekend: Trojans AND Patriots lose.
BHO Jonestown on November 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM
“BB”
the acronym gets more popular
blatantblue on November 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Doesn’t bother me any:):)I don’t like the sweat shirt dude anyway AND HOW BOUT’ THEM BENGALS!WOO HOO,finally have some defense to speak of.
ohiobabe on November 16, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I happen to like Belichick and the Pats, but this made me wonder whether he was playing the spread.
You simply never do this, particularly when you have only a six point lead and a Peyton Manning on the other side of the ball.
TXUS on November 16, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Best Wisconsin sports weekend ever.
Badgers Hockey team swept the weekend, football team crushed Michigan, basketball team won big in the season opener and looked good, plus the Packers got the suprising victory.
And the Cowboys, Eagles and Patriots all lost, which is always fun.
BadgerHawk on November 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
i HATE bellicheat and am glad to see him fail
that said, i admire the man’s STONES. if you get the first, you win.
but, it also says to his deefense “YOU GUYS SUCK!” because it meant he didnt trust his d to NOT allow a TD from 80 yards
EPIC FAIL
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Hubris and arrogance. The Pats (via Belichik) have the tendency to kick a team when they’re down, padding the score against an inferior opponent for the fun of it, and sticking it in your face at every opportunity. This was no different. For Belichick the victory would have been the first down, not the score.
It finally caught up with him. Hey, Bill, this isn’t the Pats from four years ago. You ran that team into the ground.
EMD on November 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
The coach determined that he had better odds of completing the first down and ending the game right there than stopping the Colts from scoring a td after the punt. It’s lame to criticize him unless you can show that the odds were better for him to punt than to end it with a first down.
Not to mention that they completed the first down but the refs decided to give it to the Colts. Hard to factor that into the odds.
Buddahpundit on November 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
It’s hard when you don’t cheat.
misterpeasea on November 16, 2009 at 11:06 AM
HUUUUGEE cowboys fan here, and i can’t really say im upset at last night.
i thought they’d lose either at philly or at gb; so they went 1-1 on the road, just not in the order i predicted
im mad if they lose a winnable game; but they had like 19 plays or something late in the second half; their o-line looked like pop warner, and roy williams is a bonehead.
i resigned myself to the loss at halftime and went ‘meh’
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:06 AM
It was just awesome seeing the Patriots’ coach make a fool of himself.
cubachi on November 16, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Great mea culpas in history: “I thought we could get that one yard”…Bill Belichick, New England Patroits…”As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly”…Arthur Carlson, WKRP.
heddly_lamar on November 16, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I think it was a bad call, and I think Belichik is an arrogant piece of work.
But, I think he’s taking a lot of flak this am from armchair QB’s. If they punt it, who in America didn’t think Peyton was going to drive down and score? The dude is Mr. Clutch these days.
Spirit of 1776 on November 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM
*cough* you’re crazy *cough*
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM
As a Colts fan I want to thank Bill Belicheat for that hubris. I couldn’t believe he went for it.
It’s been amusing to read Pats fans complaining about officiating, too.
changer1701 on November 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Proof positive that Belichick isn’t smart enough to know how to cheat.
Del Dolemonte on November 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM
It’s all Greek, to me.
OldEnglish on November 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM
This was a gut-punch of a loss, but the biggest damage had nothing to do with standings (the Pats will win their division handily)–it’s the vote of no confidence for a talented, but young defensive corps.
If Manning drives 70 yards to beat you, fine. The guy does that all the time. Bouncing back from your coach essentially saying “I don’t trust you guys” is going to be a lot harder. Surreal.
Gymkata on November 16, 2009 at 11:08 AM
That’s awesome. BTW fire can’t melt steel.
Spirit of 1776 on November 16, 2009 at 11:08 AM
LOL! So true. Mr. B and the Pats don’t look so invincible anymore…
catlady on November 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM
///
They only looked invincible for one year. And by cheat…you mean, do everything everyone else does. He made a boneheaded decision, but if he gets that 1st down, it’s game over. Shows guts, something none of our leaders have.
uknowmorethanme on November 16, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Bill got a call from NFL HQ. It said “lose the game or the video of you cheating comes out; we want the Colts to go undefeated this year”.
BobMbx on November 16, 2009 at 11:09 AM
BTW I agree with the others who say that had the Pats punted, Manning would have marched his team right down the field and scored.
Bill took a chance, and sometimes those blow up in your face.
Had he taken this chance and it had worked, I’m sure the Bill-haters would claim he cheated.
Del Dolemonte on November 16, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Me too, actually. I hate Belichick and root against all Boston teams regardless of circumstances, but what are the odds that Manning leads that team down for a touchdown if he starts from, say, his own 30? 40% or so? With 2 minutes and one timeout? Come on.
What are the odds that Brady gets that first down? 80% or so? Particularly when you consider that Indy probably wasn’t expecting them to actually go for it, just like the rest of us? Do you want to trust Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play, or the Patriots D that allowed 28 points already?
It’s not the conventional decision, but I would argue that it’s the more risk-averse decision. The fact that it didn’t work out means it wasn’t the right call, but given the circumstances I think I would have done the same thing.
Proud Rino on November 16, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Let’s be real though – regardless of what Peyton had done the rest of that game, he was driving the Colts down for a score on a short field or a long field. Belichick knew this and knew his best chance to win was keeping Peyton off the field.
It’s also worth noting that the “genius” Belichick squandered both his remaining timeouts so he couldn’t even challenge the 4th down play. It probably wouldn’t have been overturned since the ball was being bobbled, but it’s still worth noting.
I’m just glad there’s a worse coach out there than Andy Reid. Cheers me up a bit.
World B. Free on November 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Bad spot. Forward progress had him beyond the first down marker.
freedomplow on November 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Betcha any money Jim Nantz was sobbing uncontrollably.
Goldy1 on November 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM
What video?
Del Dolemonte on November 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Until one of the defense players comes out and says that, I’m not buying it. The D had a chance with a compacted field to hold them to a FG. The D didn’t get it done either.
Spirit of 1776 on November 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM
It looks like a broken play. The pass was for Moss.
Rocks on November 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM
AH This is why my husband said last night this has got to be the worst play in football. He was laughing so hard last night at this I was like whatever. I guess he was right.
Brat4life on November 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Mathematically, it was a smart decision. Patriots have converted over 70% on 4th down plays this year. What do you think that success rate is of Manning, on the final drive of the game, down by 1 score? Probably pretty high.
BPD on November 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM
My thoughts exactly. I’d like to add the Steelers losing was awesome as well.
Babino on November 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I had my timer set. You took a little longer than I thought.
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I did turn it off at that time. Damn! Belichick’s fear of Manning’s arm in that last 2 minutes made him diss his own defense. Wadda guy!
a capella on November 16, 2009 at 11:13 AM
The officiating was awful. That was NOT pass interference.
John the Libertarian on November 16, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Obviously you missed the final minutes of the Saints-Rams game. The Rams had the ball with less than 2 minutes to go and no time outs. Marc Bulger, who ended the game with a better QB rating that Drew Brees, got them all the way down to the goal line and they lost on the final play of the game.
And in a similar situation I like Peyton’s chances much more than Bulger’s.
Del Dolemonte on November 16, 2009 at 11:13 AM
The worst part wasn’t Belichick’s defense of his decision after the game. He should have manned up and confessed to the obvious. He’s still an excellent coach, but I lost a lot of respect for the guy after the taping scandal and his behavior at the end of the Superbowl vs. the Giants. I don’t think his dad would be very proud of him right now.
WordsMatter on November 16, 2009 at 11:14 AM
getalife.
Del Dolemonte on November 16, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Yeah, that will happen on this team. The second one of these guys questions the coaching, they’ll be keel-hauled off a duck boat.
I agree with Bruschi, who knows a bit about this stuff.
Gymkata on November 16, 2009 at 11:14 AM
You are as bad as Simplesimon and its Obama can do no wrong act.
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:15 AM
These were supposedly destroyed by the league. Ha ha.
BobMbx on November 16, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Mr. B and the Pats don’t look so invincible anymore…
catlady on November 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM
//
Invincible is not how I would describe them this year.Sweet!
ohiobabe on November 16, 2009 at 11:15 AM
To me it looked like Brady told Belicik that he could get the yards. And, if you look at the catch, the receivers feet were on the line when he had the ball.. these types of calls are too subjective for me. Sometimes it matters where your feet are, sometimes it matters where the ball is.
BUT
The colts had just executed two perfect 2-minute drills on their previous two posessions. I would much rather have had the Pats D work on stopping a longer drive instead of a 30-yard Christmas present.
And dont forget the 31-yard pass interference call on the previous Colts drive. Another drive-sustaining play.
cannonball on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
What is with you women. So crabby in the morning.
My Steelers lost and I am not being negative.
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Ballsiest coaching decision I have seen in some time. His defense was gassed. There was still plenty of time left. If he kicks the game is in Peyton’s hands. He went or it to keep the game in Brady’s hands.
I am not a big BB fan but it was the right call. He kicks it he loses anyway.
DeweyWins on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Bigger question: when the colts were close to the goal, why not let them score QUICKLY, a la the broncos-packers super bowl that one year?
let the colts score with 1:15 left, and then all you need is a field goal to win??????
STUPID PATS! I LOVE IT!
(and NO it wasnt ‘forward progress’ if he doesnet have CONTROL of the BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I think the Patriots are the Sarah Palin of the NFL. It is cool to hate them.
cannonball on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Pats fan checking in:
-Call made sense. get 2 yards and game is over
-Pats defense had done great but was gassed. They had lost a couple of players to injuries. Might as well try to win it with the Offense.
-Faulk caught the ball at the 30 and was moved back. NFL Network said after the game that the refs blew the call.
-If the pats had punted and the Colts drove 70 yards for a TD, everyone would be hammering the Pat’s D.
Rich on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Didn’t they have one time-out left? If so, they should’ve gone for the hard count to try to get the Colts D to jump, and if that didn’t work, burn the time-out and punt.
Christien on November 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
The point is, that the opposite happened. The players on both sides that have talked to the press supported the call.
What Bruschi said is irrelevant. He is paid to stir the pot, now. Moreover, even an active player like Ray Lewis would say the same thing. Defensive players like to make plays too. But that doesn’t make the call bad. Defensive players try to put the ball in the offenses hands. The offense had that chance to make a play.
Spirit of 1776 on November 16, 2009 at 11:17 AM
An example of when ego gets the better of you. You think it’s ballsy, but it’s just dumb and you get your balls crushed… and this is my New-Englader opinion 8-)
krl on November 16, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Tedy Bruschi has a piece on ESPN.com where he says that very thing. I know he doesn’t play for them anymore, but that is how he felt.
changer1701 on November 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM
BS
he didnt have POSSESSION!
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Disagree…never NEVER allow Payton Manning to be the last guy with the ball.
I don’t care where his drive starts, if there’s more than 2 minutes on the clock:
He will beat you every time.
Every.single.time.
BB knew it was win or lose on that 4th down call, one way or the other.
rickyricardo on November 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I blame George Bush.
crash72 on November 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM
BPD,
I agree with you – I think it was a good call. What was more likely to happen; the Patriots not getting two yards on one play, or Indianapolis going 70 yards in two minutes? I think the more likely of the two is Indy scoring again after a punt; if that is correct, that means that Belichick made the right call.
exhelodrvr on November 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Hey don’t bother —facts and reason don’t fly with Pats’ fans.
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Yeah, I read it this am after I read MMQB.
Spirit of 1776 on November 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM
It was a terrible call except for the fact that it worked and the Pats really won that game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ZrvtmRbfo
Zetterson on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
If thats the case, why didn’t the Pats just concede after the failed conversion? Apparently, actually making the Colts put the ball in the end zone was just a waste of time. Right?
BobMbx on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
That was a stunner — pleasantly so for me. Brady should go live in Hollywood as far as I’m concerned.
But what I really don’t understand about the NFL is that they have Keith Olbermann as announcer on NBC while Rush Limbaugh is hated and smeared. (What if the NFL started to air REAL comments from Olbermann instead of the made-up ones from Rush???) I don’t understand why NBC can’t figure out that many of the country’s real patriots will not watch Keith Olbermann under any circumstances! I watched the game but will not watch pregame or halftime. Surely they lose a significant part of their audience!
Christian Conservative on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
What am I missing? He was a yard forward of the red line even after he fell. When what’s his name says, “Now has it.” He’s a yard forward of the red line (first down line, I’m assuming).
UnderstandingisPower on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
How many interceptions did Manning already give up prior to that play?
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Watch the video….it WAS a first down.
Rovin on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
There is NO way anyone affiliated with the Patriots organization is going to say anything different, from Kraft down to the guy who sweeps up Moss’s beard trimmings. That’s the way they run things.
Gymkata on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Hey Ed, it was a “football game,” let’s not equate this w/ bringing KSM to NYC for trial. It’s not the dumbest decision ever that caused the death of thousands, so don’t jump on this bad wagon. Putting this on the blog in such prominence is not necessary. Please……
Tom66 on November 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
BTW: Boston Sports Media (like every other media) loves to stir crap and hyperventalate. This was not the playoffs, one and done. This was a regualar season game. This doesn’t even rate on any bad coach decision scale. Comparing this to Bill Buckner??? WTF??
Rich on November 16, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Um, look where his foot hits the ground when he has possession. it makes a mark, a divot… BEFORE the 30.
fail.
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Maybe Belichick decided to get in the spirit of the week and “go rogue”.
technopeasant on November 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I think the refs got the spot correct, but if Belichick had not blown all his timeouts, he could have challenged it.
zmdavid on November 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Do not — repeat, DO NOT — compare the Patriots to Sarah Palin. Under any circumstances.
Palin doesn’t cheat.
either orr on November 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Faulk.
Bobbled.
It.
By the time he had ‘possession’, he was falling backwards, and his first foot hit the ground BEFORE the 30.
1/2 yard short.
battleoflepanto1571 on November 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM
The video, at best, is inconclusive. He was bobbling the ball at the point of furthest progress, and it’s not possible to discern exactly where he gained possession of the ball from an angle behind his back.
The ref made a good call (calling a first down on a bobble would be a terrible call) and if the Pats hadn’t wasted their timeouts, they could have challenged. It’s a bang-bang play, they lost.
Spirit of 1776 on November 16, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Or was the 30 the first down (that little, hazy gold line? Maybe that’s what I’m missing.
UnderstandingisPower on November 16, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Like Obama Bill is not near as smart as he thinks he is.
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Belichick has a god complex like some “World Leaders” we might know wel around here. I wouldn’t doubt he thought he’d think up some play get the 4th and 2 and be call the smartest coach EVAH.
Lets call it the “4th and 2 Heathcare reform” or is that too obvious? “4th Down Push for Carbon Tax?” or “2 Minute Warning to Japan that we are weak little girls who need more money?”
Rbastid on November 16, 2009 at 11:23 AM
that was brutal (and D-U-M-B)… especially for someone like myself who is a fan of the Pats.
D2Boston on November 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
He said “dumbest football decision ever,” not “dumbest decision ever.”
Proud Rino on November 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
No. He’s telling his offense to go win the game rather than telling his defense not to lose it. Brave decisionthat didn’t work this time but whichwould mostofthe time.
DaveO on November 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
either orr on November 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I’ll go you one better. Sarah Palin is in the heads of the Far Left as Peyton Manning is in the head of Bill Belichick.
It makes people do strange things and to exhibit hubris.
technopeasant on November 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM
The referee was right there and immediately signaled that he had bobbled it. Even if the Pats could’ve challenged that play would’ve stood as called.
changer1701 on November 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Exactly. The video uses angles that are friendly to the Pat. The official had a straight on view.
CWforFreedom on November 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Makes me wish I hadn’t have gone to sleep in front of the TV!
Yeah, not a good decision even if the mark was off.
WannabeAnglican on November 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM
What Belichick I think forgot was the football players on the field should decide the game and not a deus ex machina named Bill Belichick.
technopeasant on November 16, 2009 at 11:26 AM
He bobbled it for a second, before he got pushed back. The way you know he had control of the ball is that they were trying to pull the ball out of his hands while he was being pushed back but couldn’t pry it loose. The defense had to try to pry it from his hands because they the game was over otherwise.
It’s funny how people will refuse to admit things that are right in front of them on slow motion video. I think you could watch that a hundred times and still not see the obvious truth.
Buddahpundit on November 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Not a Patriots fan but after seeing the review it’s clear he had possession of the ball beyond the 30 yard line. Where his feet were is irrelevant. It’s where the ball was. The receiver had it tucked into his chest at the 30 1/2.
Rocks on November 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Am I the only one to think he made the right decision? It didn’t matter whether Peyton Manning had to go 29 yards or 79 yards in two minutes, the Patriots would have wound up losing. Their best bet was to go for it on 4th down, the only way they were going to win was denying Manning the ball with time still on the clock. Good decision, bad outcome.
Tommy_G on November 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Apparently it was a waste of time for Colts to score TD. That was the point Bob. The Colts scored AND killed the clock.
Were you watching?
DeweyWins on November 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 … 5 Next »