It Is What It Is
NEED TO KNOW
Follow WEEI.com football writer Christopher Price at twitter.com/capeleaguer. In addition, get the latest WEEI.com updates at twitter.com/WEEI.
A WEEI.com Patriots Blog
WEEI.com Blog Network
Snap Judgments: Colts shock Pats, 35-34 11.15.09 at 11:43 pm ET
By Christopher Price

The Colts took a 35-34 win over the Patriots this evening at Lucas Oil Stadium. We’ll have more for you shortly, but here are a few quick notes:

With just over two minutes left and New England holding a 34-28 lead, the Patriots decided to go for it on fourth-and-two at their own 28-yard line. The move backfired when a short pass from Tom Brady to Kevin Faulk wasn’t enough to convert. The Colts answered with a four-play, 29-yard drive that took 1:47 and ended with a one-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne. New England was unable to answer, and the Colts came away with the win. The score capped an unbelievable comeback for Indianapolis, which trailed 31-14 in the second half.

The Patriots were tremendously physical with Dallas Clark all night — whether it was Gary Guyton going step-for-step with him, Darius Butler in coverage or Brandon McGowan getting physical with him at the line, New England was able to do a nice job keeping him in check all night.

On offense, the Patriots were able to operate fairly easily for a sizable chunk of the game, thanks in large part to some impressive pass protection by the New England offensive line. On the left side, left tackle Sebastian Vollmer and left guard Logan Mankins did a very nice job of keeping Brady clean for much of the night.

The New England special teams unit had itself a great night. Stephen Gostkowski booted a pair of field goals, Chris Hanson did a nice job tilting the field with his punting and Wes Welker set up a second-half score with a 69-yard punt return.

But it was all about Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it in the fourth quarter. Here is what he said regarding the key play:

“Tried to win the game on one play.”

“I thought we could have made that yard.”

“I don’t know how we could not get a yard on that completion, but I guess we didn’t.”

“Give them credit, they made the play.”

“It was a yard I thought we would be able to get.”

Here are some stats:

Patriots, Tom Brady: 29-42, 375 yards, 3 TDs, INT; Colts, Peyton Manning: 28-44, 327 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INT

Patriots, Kevin Faulk: 12 rushes, 79 yards; Laurence Maroney: 13 rushes, 31 yards; Colts, Joseph Addai: 10 rushes, 41 yards.

Patriots, Randy Moss: 9 catches, 179 yards, 2 TDs; Wes Welker 9 catches, 94 yards; Colts, Reggie Wayne, 10 catches, 126 yards, 2 TDs

Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Ben

    All I can say is that we better spend some serious money on DEFENSE next year. This is rediculous. Hey Bill stop signing washed up pass rushers like derrick fricken burgess who cant hit the broadside of a barn door if it was in front of him.

  • Will

    That interference call turned the game on its head…once again the refs put on a great show for Bill Polian!

  • ED from Maine

    Now if a player made a stupid move like BB did in that final Pats drive said player would never wear a Pats jersey again. A hard fought game for the players all for naught because of an absolutely stupid call by the coach! What more can be said? According to the announcers, Belichek told his players that if they lose this game they’d be playing catchup for the rest of the season (vs Dolts) and home field advantage was at stake. So where does that moron get off putting the entire season in jeapordy with the dumbest call of the century, chech that, in the history of the NFL? A decent punt some decent defense and the clock runs out with Manning looking at his end zone with binoculars. STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.allthingshorroronline.com Mike

    That was some of the worst 4th quarter coaching I’ve ever seen. Two weeks in a row this team coaches scared with a lead in the late stages of the game.

    Way to trust your D you has-been.

  • Spenser

    I actually liked the call to go for it, in the words of Herman Edwards “you play to win the game”. I’m putting this game on that pos maroney, if he doesn’t fumble, we get 6. PLEASE TAYLOR AND MORRIS COME BACK!!!!!!!

  • John

    I agree with your post Will. The reciever stopped short and thedb was playing the ball. Another phantom call in a Colts home game that benefits the Colts. I am also confused about the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the Pats”d” intercepted Manning deep in the Pats’ end-never saw a replay.

  • GRR

    Where’s the real post game show??? Still have stupid ESPN Radio in online stream.

  • Nancy Gardner

    Bill, you are responsible for the sleepless night I’m about to have….what were you thinking? In Bill – I no longer trust…. 4th and 2 what were you thinking???

  • Jim Keddy

    Absolutely the worst coaching decision I have ever seen in 50 years of

    watching Patriot’s football. Bill Belichick has morphed into Clive Rush.

  • bk

    cheaters never win :)

    well, actually, the cheating new england patriots and their fraud of a QB (we’ll call him T-Fraud) did win three bogus superbowls – but no more.

    beli-dick and tom-not-so-terrific are DONE

  • Mike in CA

    I agree with Spencer. The Maroney fumble in the end zone was the kick in the teeth. I liked BB’s call when he made it. Obviously, I wished it has worked out, but “you play to win the game.” Look, because it didn’t work, BB is the goat, but if Faulk had made the first down, he would be “the genius” once again.

  • Jonathan

    Anybody else think “Ok, let’s go for it here.” is going to go down in infamy just like, “Ok, Pedro, we’re gonna stick with you for the rest of the 8th.”

  • Mashpee

    Bad coaching.

  • Joe

    Belichick is losing it! At least make them go the distance to beat you. Terrible clock management, definitely a Grady Little moment. Just a side note, last week’s interception by Miami on the the Pats first series there were people at the game that thought the coach should have challenge it, well he couldn’t have challenged it because he forgot the red flag!!! I sit in row 2 and watched Belichick go over to an assistant seconds after that play, the assistant then went to the locker room and came out with the red flag in his hand and then ended it to the coach during Miami’s ensuing series. HE IS LOSING IT!!!!!!

  • Spenser

    My question to all of you who are ripping Belichick right now, is what would you be saying if we had gotten it? You are the same people who were clamoring for the pats to trade Brady after he got hurt. Relax we’ll get the Colts in the playoffs.

  • Spenser

    But i do agree with Joe in that it was terrible clock management by BB, but i still like the call to go for it.

  • Evan

    My question to all of you who are ripping Belichick right now, is what would you be saying if we had gotten it?

    ANSWER: EASY F@#(ING ANSWER. RISKY MOVE! Great. Glad they converted. I WOULD STILL BE QUESTIONING Belichick’s decision to go for 4 and 2 on their own 29 with 2 minutes and up but not by a touchdown. Don’t get so high and mighty.

    He blew this call. PLAIN. AND. SIMPLE. Stop looking so deep into it.

  • Evan

    LOL @ bk… 3 fraud Super Bowls. Damn someones jealous. Must hurt.

  • http://yahoo mowill

    I don’t think the call was a good one at the time of the game and where the field position was at. If they were at their own 35 or 30 yard line, then I can see that, but then they would go for the field goal. They left to short of field for Manning to go. BB is a damn good coach and he will make up for this as the season goes on. I still think that the Pats are a team that no one really wants to face in the playoffs. They need to really work on that defense though, giving up way to much yards in such a short time. Also, those Phantom calls the refs made don’t help the game either, but what you expect, that’s Indy and Peyton Manning.

  • Paul-NH

    They should have faked a punt. That might have had a better chance of gaining the 1.5 yards.

  • http://dailydvddeals.com Andy

    The 4th and 2 call was definitely all or nothing, I don’t mind the call Belichick made. I don’t think it was lack of confidence in his defense as much as more confidence in his offense. And it is Peyton, he would’ve went 65 yards as easy as he went the 30 or so.

    Hope they meet again in the playoffs.

  • Leigh

    Whats a better bet? The Pats getting 2 yards on a play or a tired New England D stopping the surging Colts and Peyton Manning from a game winning (70?yd drive) with 2 min to go? Me? I’ll bet on Brady.

  • http://i.ph/ Maryjane Lavista

    Highly rated post. I study one thing totally new on totally different blogs everyday. Deciding on one . stimulating to learn the paper content from other writers and be taught a little one thing from their website. I’d like to apply sure of this content material on my blog you’re mind. Natually I’ll give a hyperlink right here we are at your web-site. Admire your sharing.

  • http://gapkandroid.blogspot.com/2011/11/worms-electronic-arts-nederland-apk.html worms electronic apk

    An exciting treatment is worth comment. I consider that you should write much on this message, it strength not be a taboo individual but mostly group are not sufficiency to communicate on specified topics. To the succeeding. Cheers like your It Is What It Is » Snap Judgments: Colts shock Pats, 35-34.

Patriots Box Score
Latest on Twitter
Christopher Price: @DJ_Bean No worries, my man. Keep it up. Have to keep Tweetdeck open b/c of you guys.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: @StopHamelTime A very wide barrel with unlimited bullets. But I have to have Twitter open to you guys as this thing is going on. Lovin it.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: @bossprtsthennow On it.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: @bossprtsthennow Thanks bud! It's back to Indy in a week or so for the combine. Have to finally get to Ike and Jonesys.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: No need. Those guys are dominating right now. In awe of their performance. RT @bossprtsthennow: @capeleaguer catch up!
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: Trying not to Tweet about the Grammys, but @DJ_Bean, @Notteham, @StopHamelTime & @TheSportsHernia are KILLING it right now.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: RT @Notteham: What also makes sense: Brian Wilson beating the Adam Levine with a shoe. Make this happen.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: #Foo
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: COSIGN RT @PeteAbe: Hey, NFL, now that would be a halftime show. And the Foo Fighters will actually sing.
10 hours ago
Christopher Price: Old pal @LukeMeredithAP catches up with #Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff to talk about the AFC title game #Patriots http://t.co/Vap9ZtVd
12 hours ago
Christopher Price: RT @RavensInsider: Shawn Crable: 'It's about persistence' Former Patriots LB trying to get back into the NFL: http://t.co/crtz3yKY
13 hours ago
Christopher Price: Pats at $6.66 million RT @ProFootballTalk: Remaining '11 cap space by team, all of which can be carried over to '12 http://t.co/ebMhFva7
16 hours ago
Christopher Price: For you late risers, here's Part 2 (the conclusion) of "Rate the Roster." #Patriots #weei #NFL http://t.co/OgTZcWIi
19 hours ago
Christopher Price: @0_LayDX I think I'd be nice to get one, but you have 3 other greater areas of need--DB, WR, pass rusher. Focus on those first.
5:08 AM Feb 12, 2012
Christopher Price: @docvarmint Uh, yeah. Not a good look.
12:56 AM Feb 12, 2012
Patriots Headlines
NFL Headlines
Tips & Feedback

Verify