come on guys, was it the right call or not?

I guess the best to answer for me - I had lost the Under but have NE U12 wins for season - I wanted him to punt, when he went for it I said "shit" as I thought for sure they'd make it - I still think they did make even with the bobble - glad it turned out like that but i was rooting for Indy and wanted him to punt.

It was 100% the right decision for the exact logic Fezzik pointed out. Not even close. Belicheat is a smart man and would make a hell of a gambler.

[QUOTE=EdTeach;9618]Not even close.[/QUOTE] Agree it was the right call but I think it was closer than you are implying. Depends on your definition of "close" I guess. Here is a good analysis: https://www.advancednflstats.com/2009/11/belichicks-4th-down-decision-vs-colts.html Yes they were a clear fave to win if they go for it but they were also a decent fave if they punted.

[QUOTE=PerpetualCzech;9619]Agree it was the right call but I think it was closer than you are implying. Depends on your definition of "close" I guess. Here is a good analysis: https://www.advancednflstats.com/2009/11/belichicks-4th-down-decision-vs-colts.html Yes they were a clear fave to win if they go for it but they were also a decent fave if they punted.[/QUOTE] I think the big problem here is he used all of his timeouts so he couldn't control the clock to give them any time when they got the ball back. That was the crucial mistake. And, like so many have said, nobody else has the balls to make that call because of the scrutiny that comes with it.

I liked the call at the time he made it and still think it was right. A good way to look at it: what was the Indy bench and savvy Indy fans hoping for at 4th and 2? Would they have preferred NE go for the first, or punt? I guarantee they wanted the punt.

I'm with Sundown on the other side here. Punt the ball make Indy go the 70 or so yards to try and win with a TD to many variables can happened on the Colts drive. Sure Indy went down the field easily on last drive but they wouldn't have if it wasn't for the bad pass interference call which was a 30yd penalty. The fake punt idea is good if you have a talented punter like the Washington punter that can run or throw don't know if the Pats punter is that talented.

I think he made the correct call, Climate made a great point in that if many other coaches make the call and it doesn't work they get fired. BB doesn't have to worry about that. That's what winning 3 Super Bowls will do for you. I think it's much greater then 50/50 they get 2 yards there. Edit: I love this site because right when he went for it I knew there would be good analysis on whether it was the right call or not.

[QUOTE=Sixth Sense;9621]I think the big problem here is he used all of his timeouts so he couldn't control the clock to give them any time when they got the ball back. That was the crucial mistake. And, like so many have said, nobody else has the balls to make that call because of the scrutiny that comes with it.[/QUOTE] After watching the play many times, frame by frame, I am CONVINCED that the receiver had full position of the ball, with two feet down, and touched by the defender, well part the first down line. Sanders over at the NFL network says it was not close. BTW, NE has made first downs, on fourth and two, 78 % of the time with Brady. Perhaps he SHOULD go for two point conversions!

Could not challenge the call as NE had used all their time outs, and the play was before the two minute warning.

[QUOTE=Old School;9646]Could not challenge the call as NE had used all their time outs, and the play was before the two minute warning.[/QUOTE] Perhaps the best discussion then here would relate to how NE had to use that 2nd TO at 4Q 2:23 between the NE kick return and the next offensive play. No one seems to be talking about how big a blunder that was. There was no reason to burn a TO there as any offense would have come off the sidelines ready to go after the kick return. This wasn't a situation where the teams lined up and Brady was confused by the coverage with the play clock running out. NE took that 2nd TO before the offense even broke the huddle to run their first play. That blew my mind more than going for it on 4th down. If NE doesn't use that 2nd TO, they still have one left to challenge the 4th down play. I have racked my brain trying to figure out a real football reason NE burned that 2nd TO, and am drawing blanks.