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It’s probably time to put this Bill Belichick Moment to bed, so I’ll give it a try here.
After speaking to several local football coaches, I found that two of them made a similar call — leading a game, deep in their own territory, fourth and short. Both of them made it and won their games.
But nine out of the 10 coaches contacted, including the two who had made that decision in the past, probably would have punted. But all of them “understood” why he made the decision to go for it.
My thoughts?
I understand. I disagree. But more importantly, I believe Belichick lost one of those rare opportunities to give his defense a chance to make a difference and gain confidence that would have or could have led to special things.
If you remember the 2003 Pats-Colts game, which the Pats won 38-34. It was the defense that stopped Peyton Manning and the Colts offense on the goal line to end the game.
That defense was dominant the rest of the way en route to the first of back-to-back Super Bowls. That’s why I disagreed most with Belichick’s gamble.