re: The worst game decision in the history of the NFL

Who remembers about 15-20 years ago when the Lions were playing the Saints and called a fake punt out of their own end zone??????

Punter throws incomplete pass, Saints take over in the red zone...

And Templars, who started this thread, earlier today was crapping on other threads about how badly the Saints executed and called plays.

If he was going to go on 4th down, why not run on 3rd and 3, then run again if needed. A much better percentage to get 3 yards in two plays by running. Screw-up all around.

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Decent call that's gonna be second guessed but I understand the call after watching manning so many years do it against tired defenses

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I've thought about it overnight. Not the dumbest decision ever, but it still was not a smart percentage call under the circumstances. Even with Manning coming onto the field after a punt. With a decent punt, odds are the Patriots hold on to win the game.

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but if faulk doesn't bobble that ball, everyone is calling it genious

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uhhh no, its still stupid whether he converts the 1st down or not.

The poor decision was the pass on 3rd and two, not the decision to go for it on fourth down.

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A decent throw and catch, and there is a 100% chance they win...

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Uh, well yeah, if they convert they win. So what? You could say that about a lot of plays. The smart play is to make the Colts go 70 yards without timeouts rather than 30.

I think it was the right call. The mistake was not going for it, but burning two timeouts on the last possession.

I hate Bellichek and I'm glad it blew up in his face so everyone gets to call him a moron, but that doesn't change the fact he played the percentages. If he converts there, the Pats win. Period. It's over. Teams have about a 60-65% success rate on fourth and two. So that play gave him a 60-65% chance of winning.

If he punts, does anyone doubt that friggin Peyton Manning doesn't drive down the field (with one timout in his back pocket) and score the game winner. That's what Manning DOES. The Colts would have scored regardless off where they got the ball.

When in doubt, let your best unit win the game. The Patriots offense is better than their defense. Let them decide it.

I hate fraidy cat, conservative play calling designed not to win, but to minimize criticism. If Bellichek punts and the Cotls drive down and win the game, no one questions the call. I kind of admire that Bellicheck was unafraid of the criticsm. He played to win, not to minimize second guessing.

Wow, this is not even in the top 50 of worst decisions. Just do the math and that much is obvious. If you need me to crunch the numbers answer these questions:

What do you expect is the percentage of times New England converts 4th down there?

What percentage of the times do you think Peyton drives 70 yards for the win after a punt there?

What percentage of the time do you think Peyton drives 30 yards for the win after a failed 4th down conversion there?

I guarantee you that if you give me realistic numbers, going for it on fourth down doesn't look NEARLY as bad as most of you are trying to make it out to be.

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One thing that doesn't make it that stupid is the fact the NFL regular season games are meaningless in and of themselves. No way he goes for that in the playoffs.

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wow. if you're serious...just wow.

anyway..you can argue the angles and spin this thing anyway you want to...the way i see it, When was the last time Belichick made a decision that cost his team a game? maybe he looks like an idiot for this but i'm sure he expected his players to execute.