I KNEW the Atlanta call would be coming up
I'm fine with the decision to go for it. I supported it because quite frankly, Manning scared the hell out of me. I would rather let TB try and pick up 2 yards than let our D try and stop a HOFer playing at his peak at home with a timeout and 2-minute stoppage.
It didn't work out, but as the NYT reported earlier, statistically, it was the right move if you're trying to win the game. The odds of conversion leading to victory were higher than the odds of punting away in that situation, let alone to Manning for all the reasons I listed above.
Having said that much, I HATED the actual play call. A 2-yard throw from an empty backfield when you need 2 yards? Why not throw it past the sticks? The spot was a bit questionable, though it did seem like he bobbled it. But the call wasn't a very good one. And why not keep Faulk in the backfield as if he might run the same draw play they ran a kazillion times in the 4th quarter? At least give the defense something to think about.
But the actual decision to go for it? I'm fine with that. Don't forget, the Pats actually completed the play they wanted to. They just didn't get the result they wanted to.
Maroney's fumble, the conservative defense at the end of the game, the inability to run in the 4th quarter, the offensive play calling for most of the 4th quarter all had more to do with the loss than BB's 4th down gamble.