Let us revisit the knock down, drag out game between the Colts and the Patriots on Sunday night, November 15, 2009. Wonderful game. A classic. People will talk for a long, long time about this game. The apparent blow out in the making was in place as the Patriots assumed a 24-7 lead with 7:19 left in the first half. This was at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home stadium of the Colts. However, you knew this lopsided score would not last. The Colts would make adjustments and find a way to get back in the game.
THE SET UP
Sure enough, with 12:14 to go in the fourth quarter, the score was 31-21 in favor of the Patriots but the Colts had all the signs of yet another 4th quarter comeback in the making. They were hanging on defensively and still had Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and a pesky Pierre Garcon to rely on. In addition, they had the powerful running of Joseph Addai. With 12:14 left in the game, Manning passed to rookie wide receiver Pierre Garcon for a 29-yard touchdown. Matt Stover made the extra point and the gap was at the afore-mentioned 31-21. The Patriots held the ball for 4 ½ minutes before having to punt. They had managed to take that time off the clock while only advancing the ball from their own 20-yard line to their own 45-yard line.
THE REVIEW
Colts ball, 1st and 10 from their own 18-yard line after the punt. Momentum is clearly in the Colts favor, and on the first play from scrimmage, Manning threw an interception. The Patriots take over on the Indianapolis 31-yard line, poised to drive the final nail into the coffin. However, the Colts held the Patriots to a field goal and were within 2 scores to win the game.
Somehow, the Colts masterfully take only 1:44 to score a touchdown, when they started at their own 21-yard line and moved 79 yards in only 7 plays and Addai elusively ran in for a 4 –yard touchdown run. It is now 34-28 in favor of the Patriots and there is 2:23 left in the game.
THE DIFFERENCE
Here is where first year head coach Jim Caldwell did what Bill Belichick could not get himself to do. He trusted his defense and opted to kick off rather than attempt a high-risk onside kick. That is what set up what will be a long debated and controversial Belichick decision. The Patriots had the ball a six-point lead and 2:23 left in the game. The first two plays netted them 8 yards. They faced a 3rd and 2 from the 28-yard line when Brady threw an incomplete pass. Fourth down, two yards to go, 2:11 left in the game…punt, right? New England time out. The Patriots offensive returns to the field. Surely, they will try and draw the Colts offside with a hard cadence. Oh no, the ball is snapped and Brady goes back to pass from the Patriots 28 yard line. What is Belichick thinking? Brady threw to running back Kevin Faulk and the Colts defense stopped him short from converting the first down because he initially bobbled the ball and did not have possession. Colts Ball!!!
They take over at their own 29; 2:00 left, deftly bleed the clock down to 13 seconds when Manning passed to Reggie Wayne to the left corner of the end zone for a1- yard touchdown. It was a sensational catch and Matt Stover made the game winning PAT. The game came down to the last seconds with the two teams combining for 69 points and 884 combined net yards. Final score…Colts 35-Patriots 34. The improbable comeback was successful. Bill Belichick will long be rebuked for trying for it on 4th and 2 and at their own 28 yard line. Bill Belichick risked everything on one play Sunday night. What say you Bill?
THE ANSWER
“We tried to win the game on that play,” Belichick explained. “I thought we could make the yard. We had a good play, we completed it. I don’t know how we couldn’t get a yard.”*
Oh, OK. NOT! The percentages were to punt the ball, and force Manning to drive at least 75 yards or so to earn the victory. There is a greater chance that the Colts with only one time out and 75 yards to go may have made a mistake. Manning already threw two interceptions in the game. They scored in four plays from their own 29 yard line. Maybe having to take 7 or 8 plays and trying to work the side lines to get out of bounce would have worked in the Patriots favor. We will never know. Bill, if you had it to do all over…?
- = By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer
