I am a lurker, but I finally decided to register because of this thread...
I don't disagree that O'Brien got away from the run to a fault yesterday. I also don't disagree that it probably shouldn't have been Slater running the route... But the play call after the INT in the 4th quarter was NOT a bad call.
It was, however, predictable. I think the Pats should have saved this play for second down assuming they got at least 4 yards on first down with the run.
Taking a shot like that after a big turnover is a great call. Like I said, the timing was just poor. Also, as others have pointed out, Brady made a mistake trying to force the play.
But please stop trying to say that going for a big play after that type of momentum swing is a bad call, because it isn't. It just wasn't a good call on first down.
If it were me, I'd have run a draw on first down - the Ravens were clearly expecting the Pats to try and capitalize on the turnover, that's why the go wasn't open. If you get fewer than 4-5 yards on first down, you run a quick middle screen on the next play (or something similar, doesn't have to be a traditional middle screen, can be a quick pick play or even a straight up slant, but definitely a three-stepper), the Ravens would have been looking run on second and long and their linebackers would have stepped up and hesitated long enough for this to get yardage. If you are 2nd and less than 5, you run play-action off the draw (or even a flea-flicker) and go deep. If it's not open, you look for an outlet or throw it away, then run another draw on or a screen on third down.
That, to me, is the way to handle that type of situation.