You can ignore the officials if you want, but it is key to understanding the decision to go for it on 4th down. If the Butler play was called interference, then all Manning has to do is find single coverage and throw it up. It isn't that Belichick didn't trust his defense...he didn't want to put the game in the hands of the officials.
I was going to post a couple of screen captures that show Faulk clearly making the first down, but after looking at it frame by frame, it isn't needed. Faulk's entire body is beyond the 30 until contact, and the reverse camera angle shows Faulk tucked the ball away before being pushed back. The side judge had the perfect angle to see forward progress and he made an intentional choice to spot the ball short of the 30. Remember, all the ball has to do is touch the front edge of the 30 yard stripe and it is a first down. At no point until Faulk hit the ground was the ball short of the 30.
This reminds me of the Watson fumble play against Denver in the playoffs. The official just ignored what they saw and spotted the ball based on the narrative in their head. I expect home cooking with the officials (which is why you want HFA) but I just can't get over how sick these calls were.
Anyone want to disagree with me, go right ahead. But if this game were in Foxboro and the exact reverse situation occurred, you know that Polian would have had the officials fired and opened an investigation.
Outside of the Maroney fumble which was inexcusable, the only beef I have with the Pats is not letting Addai score on that draw play. Check the odds:
1) Stop the Colts 4 straight plays from the 2
2) Drive down the field with 1:30 left for a winning FG
I'll take #2 every time. Oh well, at least the beat-down on the Jets next week (at home!!!!!) will take away some of the pain.
