Pick Six: Week 10

The decision will live in infamy. In simplest terms, you play it safe and force the opponent drive the length of the field instead of risking a turnover. I understand why head coach Bill Belichick went for it on fourth and two, but that was the wrong side of the 50 to attempt the play.

Belichick lost faith in his defense to win the game against an Indianapolis offense with about two minutes left and a timeout. New England had already given up 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Colts offense played no-huddle for the final period. Two 79-yard scoring drives that lasted five and six plays respectively, closed the gap. Those drives were also short, the first one taking 2:04 off the clock and the second just 1:49.

If Belichick elected to punt with 2:08 left on the clock, that would give QB Peyton Manning and the offense a time out and possibly the two-minute warning to stop the clock. As Manning already proved, that’s plenty of time for him and the offense.

Also of issue is the Patriots defense started in nickel, with two defensive linemen, four linebackers, and five defensive backs. It was a short rotation on the D-line as they played without Jarvis Green and Ty Warren. By the fourth quarter the defense was tired as the pressure all but disappeared, leaving the secondary to Manning’s mercy. Losing OLB Tully Banta-Cain early hurt as well.

It was a pick your poison situation for Belichick and he took the chance with the offense. But he should had believed a little more in the defense as they did pitch a shutout in the third quarter and picked Manning off twice. Manning also threw a pair of ducks in the second half. If his grip was bothering him, why not put it to the test one last time on a long scoring drive?

Stopping Manning and the offense on a two-minute drive is hard enough. Keeping the Colts out of the endzone from just 29 yards away proved impossible.

1. Play-action passes killed Indianapolis in the first half. WR Randy Moss burned the Colts secondary on 55 and 63-yard receptions.

2. Two firsts: WR Julian Edelman’s first touchdown reception and WR Isaiah Stanback’s first catch as a Patriot.

3. For a moment Nick Kaczur reminded me of Max Lane getting tossed around by Reggie White. DE Robert Mathis owned Kaczur.

4. Moss caught his 900^th pass.

5. Brady’s record when he throws for at least 300 yards dropped to 25-3.

6. LB Junior Seau’s winning streak came to an end. He was a part of 25 consecutive wins if I am not mistaken.

Extra Point: While CB Leigh Bodden was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for celebrating his interception, why not penalize the Colts organization for pyrotechnics after Indy’s first score? The fireworks lit a small fire on the field.