Going for it on 4th down was CORRECT...here's why...

[JonVaughnTD]

Just like going for it on 4th and 2 a few years ago in Indianapolis, Belichick's decision was the correct call to make. The benefit of converting the first down FAR outweighs the damage caused by not converting it. If they convert they are in field goal range, they get a new set of downs to run the clock out and it's basically game over. Punting (assuming it's not a touchback) would probably net 20-30 yards. Giving up those 20-30 yards for a chance to ice the game is a no-brainer. It's math. You give yourself the best chance to win the game.

Do not be results oriented. What happened on that play was basically the worst possible result (other than a defensive TD). Losing a ton of yards on a fumble is almost never going to happen, a pick 6 is rarely going to happen...its not something that you ever should think about when making a decision on whether or not to for it.

Going for it was the right play. In that situation they should go for it every time...and I really hope Belichick doesn't get gunshy the next time it comes up. He truly understand situations like this better than anybody else in football, so I don't think he will change, thankfully.

 

[TyronePoole]

This is not really arguable at all. Unfortunately people are by nature results oriented and not very bright.

 

[resdubwhite]

it was a horrible call.

Telegraphed pass play too. with no protection for the qb.

We are blessed Brady didnt get badly hurt.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

it was a horrible call.

Telegraphed pass play too. with no protection for the qb.

We are blessed Brady didnt get badly hurt.

Many of the playcalls were telegraphed in the second, and it definitely resulted in some plays getting disrupted because the Broncos clearly knew what was coming.

 

[Dingleberry]

Loved the 4th & 3 call and have always defended it.

This call was idiotic.

Punt the ball inside the 20. A TD drive to get the game within 10 would have likely brought the clock under 4:00 at least.

Let's say the worst happens and the Pats go 3 and out with the Broncos calling all of their timeouts. Now they punt and the Broncos would be likely to score again before the 2 minute warning. Now, they are reduced to an onside kick--and this is IF they complete two LONGER TD drives as quickly as I have them doing here.

Stupid, stupid call there.

 

[resdubwhite]

Many of the playcalls were telegraphed in the second, and it definitely resulted in some plays getting disrupted because the Broncos clearly knew what was coming.

Theres an argument that by punting you make the opposing team take much longer to go up the field. Had McGahee not fumbled that was a 1 score game. Pin the Bronco's in their 20 and eat the clock. instead they get a double quick TD.

 

[JonVaughnTD]

Theres an argument that by punting you make the opposing team take much longer to go up the field. Had McGahee not fumbled that was a 1 score game. Pin the Bronco's in their 20 and eat the clock. instead they get a double quick TD.

Let's say they punt and there is a fair catch at the 8 yard line. The way Manning was moving the ball, he could have easily been back to where the Patriots had the ball on the 4th down play with in 2 passes...it would have taken 20 seconds.

Those yards are just not worth it when you can effectively end the game right there.

 

[resdubwhite]

Let's say they punt and there is a fair catch at the 8 yard line. The way Manning was moving the ball, he could have easily been back to where the Patriots had the ball on the 4th down play with in 2 passes...it would have taken 20 seconds.

Those yards are just not worth it when you can effectively end the game right there.

If we're playing the conjecture game. He could have felt he needed to force it and throw a pick six too.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Theres an argument that by punting you make the opposing team take much longer to go up the field. Had McGahee not fumbled that was a 1 score game. Pin the Bronco's in their 20 and eat the clock. instead they get a double quick TD.

I can see it both ways. I will say that I don't think Zoltan is particularly strong at short yardage punts (this is purely off memory so I could be wrong). This is why I don't have a huge issue going for it, but I do have a huge issue with the play being an obvious pass and then Brady fumbling the ball.

 

[NSPF]

I sort of agree, sort of disagree. It was late enough in the game that punting and making them take an extra minute or so off the clock may have been worth it. Punting also gives your defense a few extra chances to make a play or get a stop to win the game. When you're up by that much, it's best to play it safe. I agreed with 4th and 2, but this was a different situation.

 

[edgeofepic]

I know there's a lot of current head coaches and former head coaches reading this forum so I'm sure you'll correct me even though I'm simply offering my opinion. I'm an amateur but I tend to agree with those who contend going for it on 4th down was not wise. I would say why not have Brady line up in the shotgun and drop a pooch-punt as he has done in the past? There's little to no risk of return and theoretically it pins the Broncos deep or at least at their own 20. It seems like sometimes Josh and Bill go out of their way to execute low probability plays just to prove how unconventional and intelligent they are. If it works, great but guess what - they are low probably plays so they usually don't work.

OR... if you must go for it on the proverbial 4th and 2, please come up with a better offensive play.

 

[Sciz]

Going for it was absolutely the right thing to do. Heck, I would've rather seen Brady punt it than Mesko there. That's how against punting I was.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

......and if the Broncos went on to win the game,this thread would NEVER exist

Let's not kid ourselves,it was a gamble that failed twice against Manning,fortunately this one didn't bite us in the ass

 

[BSR]

Belichick has always been consistent in these situations and consistently goes for the kill shot. Its the smart play. The 20 extra yards of field position for the defense means little. In this particular instance it was just extraordinarily bad execution by the offense which made the result worse than it ever should have.

Belichick has never coached scared and thankfully isn't about to start.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I thought it was the right call. The broncos offense was on a roll/the pats D didn't showed they can stop manning's previous 2 drives.

 

[hovis]

When it's late in the game and you've got a lead that can be overcome, time is important. When time's important, field position is EXTREMELY important. The strategy on that entire drive was maddening. They should have been killing the clock and willing to punt. I love aggressive playcalling as much as anyone, but there's a difference between aggressive and stupid.

 

[ProudestRyno]

What's funny is that if they made it, most of these people so against the call wouldn't be. Too many uneducated results oriented people around here.

It was ABSOLUTELY the correct call and it's not really debatable. Like someone mentioned, converting that FAR, FAR, FAR outweighs the risk of not not converting it. If they punted, they would only net around 15 yds...If they make it, it's essentially game over.

Absolute no brainer.

 

[BSR]

I know there's a lot of current head coaches and former head coaches reading this forum so I'm sure you'll correct me even though I'm simply offering my opinion. I'm an amateur but I tend to agree with those who contend going for it on 4th down was not wise. I would say why not have Brady line up in the shotgun and drop a pooch-punt as he has done in the past? There's little to no risk of return and theoretically it pins the Broncos deep or at least at their own 20. It seems like sometimes Josh and Bill go out of their way to execute low probability plays just to prove how unconventional and intelligent they are. If it works, great but guess what - they are low probably plays so they usually don't work.

OR... if you must go for it on the proverbial 4th and 2, please come up with a better offensive play.

Low probability? Converting a 5 yard pass is low probability?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Belichick has always been consistent in these situations and consistently goes for the kill shot. Its the smart play. The 20 extra yards of field position for the defense means little. In this particular instance it was just extraordinarily bad execution by the offense which made the result worse than it ever should have.

has never coached scared and thankfully isn't about to start.

Didn't Bill decide to punt the ball against the Ravens when the team had a 4th down and five just inside the Ravens 45 3 weeks ago?

He is not always without being a bit cautious

 

[aluminum seats]

If they punted, they would only net around 15 yds...If they make it, it's essentially game over.

Why do you assume Mesko kicks a lousy punt? Strange.

I'm a proponent of going for it, generally speaking. In that situation, they should have punted.