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Looking back: Fourth-and-2 01.01.10 at 9:30 am ET
By WEEI

(WEEI.com is counting down the “Top 10 Things We Couldn’t Shut Up About In 2009,”with Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it onpunt4 fourth-and-2 against the Indianapolis Colts coming in at No. 3. Here is a written, visual and audio look at one of the most controversial calls in the New England Patriots’ head coach tenure.)

No. 10: Bruins getting bounced by the Hurricanes

No. 9: Garnett’s knee injury alters Celtics’ fate


No. 8: The drama between Crowley and Gates Jr. and No. 7: The downfall of Steve Phillips

No. 6: The Red Sox reshape at the trade deadline

No. 5: The Manny/A-Rod steroid controversies

No. 4: Goodbye, Bay; Hello, Lackey, Cameron and Scutaro

(From Nov. 16 article following Patriots’ 35-34 loss to the Colts)

INDIANAPOLIS — Sometimes, two yards can mean everything.

fourth

On Sept. 28 against the Falcons, the Patriots were able to convert a key fourth down at their own 24-yard line in the second half. Under the circumstances, the guts and guile that New England displayed under pressure were celebrated.

“There would have been plenty of criticism if we didn’t [get it],” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said when asked about the decision to go for it on fourth down against the Falcons that afternoon in Foxboro.

On Sunday night against the Colts, they were faced with a similar test, a fourth-and-2 from their own 28-yard line. A quick pass from Tom Brady to Kevin Faulk came up just short when Faulk was tackled by Indianapolis defensive back Melvin Bullitt less than a yard shy of the first-down marker.

It turned out to be the difference. Indianapolis, which had struggled to exploit New England turnovers all night, made the Patriots pay for falling short. Four plays after New England turned it over on downs, Peyton Manning found Reggie Wayne in the end zone for the final touchdown in an epic 35-34 ballgame (full game recap here) that will go down aspunt3 one of the most unbelievable finishes in the history of the Patriots-Colts rivalry.

“It’s the difference between winning and losing,” said Brady, who had an impressive line: 29-of-42 for 375 yards, three touchdowns and one interception — rendered moot with the loss.

“Coach is being aggressive, and I love that about him. He gave us a chance to make the play. Like I said, we just came up a bit short.”

Some weeks, you can get the yard or two you need to win the game. Other weeks, you’re not so lucky. And so, as the gambles that Belichick have taken have paid off and burnished his legacy over the years, the decision to go for it Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium will haunt him for a long time.

In the end, Belichick’s decision to go for those two yards — and the Patriots inability to pick them up — could have serious long-term ramifications on this 2009 team, starting with the likely loss of any home field in the the postseason.

“We tried to win the game on that play. We tried to get the first down,” Belichick said when he was asked why New England decided to pull the trigger instead of punting the ball away. “That’s why I made the call.”

Leigh Bodden: Leigh Bodden joins The Big Show to discuss last weeks loss to the Colts, Belichick’s controversial 4th and 2 call and this weeks match-up with the Jets. Audio|Fri, 20 Nov 2009: http://audio.weei.com/m/27512367/leigh-bodden.htm

Dan Koppen and Logan Mankins, Patriots OLs: Logan and Dan joined the guys at Gillette Stadium to talk about “The Play” from last week’s game against the Colts, how playing on the offensive line is all about communication, Sebastian Vollmer’s job against Dwight Freeney, and previewed this week’s game against the Jets Audio|Fri, 20 Nov 2009: http://audio.weei.com/m/27510885/dan-koppen-and-logan-mankins-patriots-ols.htm

Peter King, SI/NBC Sports: Peter talked about the Patriots-Colts game which he deemed an instant classic, his thoughts on the decision to go for it on 4th and 2, the coaching situation in New York with Rex Ryan, if Mike Shanahan has any interest coaching the Buffalo Bills, if Randy Lerner will consider firing Eric Mangini, and the decision of the Bengals to sign Larry Johnson Audio|Fri, 20 Nov 2009: http://audio.weei.com/m/27509691/peter-king-si-nbc-sports.htm

Adam Schefter, ESPN: Adam joins Dino and Gerry for his weekly interview on all things NFL…even 4th and 2: http://audio.weei.com/m/27507006/adam-schefter-espn.htm

Ben Watson, Patriots TE: Ben Watson joins us to put 4th and 2 to bed and look ahead to the Jets: http://audio.weei.com/m/27506436/ben-watson-patriots-te.htm

Tedy Bruschi, ESPN: Tedy talked about the Patriots-Colts game and what led to the loss, his thoughts on if Bill Belichick made the right decision to go for it on 4th and 2 late in the game, that if he was on the team he can respect the decision but still disagree with the call, and if the team can put Sunday behind them and get ready for the Jets Audio|Tue, 17 Nov 2009: http://audio.weei.com/m/27452431/tedy-bruschi-espn.htm

Tom Brady, Patriots QB: Tom joins D&C for his weekly segment to discuss the loss to the Colts and look ahead to the Jets game: http://audio.weei.com/m/27449409/tom-brady-patriots-qb.htm

Bill Belichick, Patriots Head Coach: Belichick joins the show and discusses his decision to go for it on 4th and 2, his confidence in the defense, and the upcoming game against the Jets: http://audio.weei.com/m/27437866/bill-belichick-patriots-head-coach.htm

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