The final offensive possession...

[BradysBunch12]

What was up with that play calling? Since when does Belichick not like putting up more points? There were over two minutes left and at the 1 yard line...just run it in and if you don't make it kick the field goal. That isn't "shoving it in the other team's face'...and we saw what happened when we gave the Raiders the ball back.

Doesn't really matter in the end, we won, but since when is Belichick modest with points?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Bill usually goes for TDs, not FGs, in those situations. He gets accused of running up the score by giving a team a chance to stop the Patriots as opposed to taking to automatic FG.

 

[PatsDeb]

This was not a deviation from BB's usual end-of-game strategy. They always go for the TD (or the first down) instead of kicking a meaningless FG at the end. If they don't get it, then the other team has to drive 99 yds., usually with no time outs. It's maddening that the D gave up a TD on that, but the Raiders needed three scores and the clock was not on their side, so using up the clock was more important than the 3 pts.

 

[BlueThunder]

Bob and his predictible play calling...run up the middle....with everyone stacked....

How about a spread O and a fake up middle with an outside run with Ridley?

This OC has NO imagination......

just sayin

 

[A.C Vegas]

It was not about getting the score it was about killing the clock if they were only up by one TD you bet they would have pulled out more of the play book and probably kicked the FG but it was about killing the clock

 

[patsfaninpa]

Why would he piss of the keeper(Of the crypt)? Al Davis makes so many sweetheart trades with us. I'd pick up the alcohol tab for his suite if I was BB. BB calls him Mr. Davis on the phone when discussing draft day trades. Shows him respect. And, it has paid off handsomedly for us.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

I thought it was great play calling. As we saw, Oakland scored a 99-yard touchdown in like 30 seconds. Time and using your opponents' time outs are far more valuable than the points. Making a team burn timeouts or burning 40 seconds per play is what that series was all about. The other team cannot score or attempt onside kicks when it does not have the ball. The ideal scenario would have been to run 3 plays that kept the clock going and then score on 4th down, which appeared to be the plan. It almost happened, but what did happen was second best.

A field goal would have been a horrible play call there, even if it had been 4th and goal from the 20 yard line. A field goal still keeps it a 3 score game. Given the choice to run a play that makes it a 4-score game or simply turn the ball over on downs deep in their territory, the far better play is to try something to make it a 4-score game, even at the risk of giving up an easy 3.

 

[Ring 6]

What was up with that play calling? Since when does Belichick not like putting up more points? There were over two minutes left and at the 1 yard line...just run it in and if you don't make it kick the field goal. That isn't "shoving it in the other team's face'...and we saw what happened when we gave the Raiders the ball back.

Doesn't really matter in the end, we won, but since when is Belichick modest with points?

He did what he always does when the game is out of reach, run up the middle. Kicking the FG is running it up, giving them a chance to defend a run up the middle is respecting the opponent.

 

[Mack Herron]

No problem with the call. Need to block that better. I hope he continues to challenge the OL in short yardage.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Working the percentages........ Make them burn timeout and just run it up the middle and get to the end of the game.

 

[WhiZa]

I saw it as he was giving Ridley some more experience and if they didn't make it they would be at the 1 yard line. Not a bad deal. If the game were closer he definitely would of taken the points.