New England Patriots....

[-HAWK-]

Drive me nuts!! They build you up with a phenomenal game and then blow it in the final 5 minutes! > :'(

What was Brady thinking going for it with 4th and 2!!! Watching that game was like catching a 10 pounder and losing it right at the boat.

[Tin]

That was not Brady that was Bill and the defense. They knew if Manning got the ball back with over 2 minutes to go and decent field (they would have had to punt from deep in their own end so Indy would have most likely stared around mid-field), that he would march down on the New England D. Banta-Cain (their best pass rusher) got hurt and Manning was taking all the time in the pocket he wanted in the second half.

Also remember that Brady got picked in the endzone and Maroney fumbled in the end-zone. I don't think it was a bad idea on Bill's part and it is clear that New England can destroy Indy, they had a 24-7 lead and had two turnovers in the endzone so come play-off time Indy should be very scared.

This being said they better beat N'owlin's on Monday night in a few weeks to make up for last night.

[Gone_Phishin]

Great call Hoodie.

[Uncle Leo]

I think Payton got into Bill's head on this one.

[ABLE2DISABLE1]

New England Patriots have a swelled head from the Superbowl wins.And pay back and confusion are the games to come.Until they put it together as a team, they will not be in the play-offs.Any team with the weight of that many Superbowl wins has a reputation to maintain,They need to get there heads out of the clouds, and maintain focus on the issue at hand.But in my eyes they suck, but as a team they could do some damage.

[llPa1nll]

That was not Brady that was Bill and the defense. They knew if Manning got the ball back with over 2 minutes to go and decent field (they would have had to punt from deep in their own end so Indy would have most likely stared around mid-field), that he would march down on the New England D. Banta-Cain (their best pass rusher) got hurt and Manning was taking all the time in the pocket he wanted in the second half.

Also remember that Brady got picked in the endzone and Maroney fumbled in the end-zone. I don't think it was a bad idea on Bill's part and it is clear that New England can destroy Indy, they had a 24-7 lead and had two turnovers in the endzone so come play-off time Indy should be very scared.

This being said they better beat N'owlin's on Monday night in a few weeks to make up for last night.

Great points Tin. It was a good game but good god what a hard ending to watch. I dont think the talking heads nor the sports talk shows are going to see what went into this decision. The Pats had no defensive pass rush backups. Banta Cain went down as well as his backup I believe. It was a good game and it shows very much that Indy is beatable.

[bocabasser]

ever since belichick got caught cheating, the pats are just average. tin can make all the excuses he wants about an interception and fumble in the endzone, and say the colts were scared, but the pats lost. bottom line. there are no moral victories in the nfl. it is either a W or an L. heck if i were to use tins reasoning i could say the pats were scared when my dolphins were beating them. but i know better.

[Catt]

I think it was the correct call under those circumstances because if you don't make it on 4th down or you punt you are still giving the ball to Manning with time on the clock. The only way to stop Manning is to keep him off the field.

Ask any Dolphin's fan how long it takes Manning to score

[Siebert Outdoors]

waking up and finding out the NE Pats lost made my whole day. ;D

[fishinfiend]

Outstanding game!!!  I hope the Colts go all the way. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching these two teams battle it out the past several years. So much talent on both sides and the two best quarterbacks of the decade, what more could you ask for?

[bocabasser]

I think it was the correct call under those circumstances because if you don't make it on 4th down or you punt you are still giving the ball to Manning with time on the clock. The only way to stop Manning is to keep him off the field.

Ask any Dolphin's fan how long it takes Manning to score

trust me i know. it didn't take drew brees too long either. thats why they paly ALL 60 minutes.

[llPa1nll]

ever since belichick got caught cheating, the pats are just average. tin can make all the excuses he wants about an interception and fumble in the endzone, and say the colts were scared, but the pats lost. bottom line. there are no moral victories in the nfl. it is either a W or an L. heck if i were to use tins reasoning i could say the pats were scared when my dolphins were beating them. but i know better.

Yeah, that 2007 regular season was just average. That 2008 season where they went 11-5 was average as well.

[Tin]

ever since belichick got caught cheating, the pats are just average. tin can make all the excuses he wants about an interception and fumble in the endzone, and say the colts were scared, but the pats lost. bottom line. there are no moral victories in the nfl. it is either a W or an L. heck if i were to use tins reasoning i could say the pats were scared when my dolphins were beating them. but i know better.

You just made my day with your insightful and intelligent comments. And yes they were very average in 2007 and very average despite loosing Tom Brady in 2008. The one beat-down they have got in the past three years was at the hands of the Fish when they pulled the Wildcat offense out. Glad to see that gimmick offense got you a HARD-FOUGHT win against the BUCS this weekend.

[bocabasser]

ever since belichick got caught cheating, the pats are just average. tin can make all the excuses he wants about an interception and fumble in the endzone, and say the colts were scared, but the pats lost. bottom line. there are no moral victories in the nfl. it is either a W or an L. heck if i were to use tins reasoning i could say the pats were scared when my dolphins were beating them. but i know better.

Yeah, that 2007 regular season was just average. That 2008 season where they went 11-5 was average as well.

fact: 2000-2007 they cheated

fact: 2007 they got caught cheating

fact: 2008 they went 11-5 finishing second behind my dolphins.

[Tin]

Fact:They were caught cheating one game into 2007. Therefore they even if you want to say it they finished 15-1 (given a loss for cheating), and still made it to the Superbowl.

Fact: They are 4-1 against your Dolphins since being caught by the NFL ;D

They finished tied to your Dolphins in 2008 and lost via a tie breaker. But like you said a W is a W and seeing as your Florida teams don't get too many of those I will give it to you. ;D

[bocabasser]

ever since belichick got caught cheating, the pats are just average. tin can make all the excuses he wants about an interception and fumble in the endzone, and say the colts were scared, but the pats lost. bottom line. there are no moral victories in the nfl. it is either a W or an L. heck if i were to use tins reasoning i could say the pats were scared when my dolphins were beating them. but i know better.

You just made my day with your insightful and intelligent comments. And yes they were very average in 2007 and very average despite loosing Tom Brady in 2008. The one beat-down they have got in the past three years was at the hands of the Fish when they pulled the Wildcat offense out. Glad to see that gimmick offense got you a HARD-FOUGHT win against the BUCS this weekend.

WOW i don't know who whines more rex ryan or you. lmfao! you are right it was a hard fought game against the bucs. but we got the W. you got the L. at least i don't make weak azz excuses why my team loses. you are a typical new england fan. can dish it out but cannot take it. waaaa waaaaa waaaaa

[Glenn]

Ok guys, lighten up, or I'll have to make you kiss and make up.  *EWE!*

I'm not a fan of either team, but I dislike the Pats moreso than the Bolts.  So I gotta say I enjoyed last night's game. 

[Tin]

Oh, what a classic.

[TommyBass]

As a Colts fan, I relish the wins where Pats fans get there hopes up, to be squashed in the final quarter of play by Manning (*See 2006 playoffs as well).  In all honesty the Colts probably should not have won, but its not like you've never seen Manning do a 2 minute drill from his side of the field late in the game, either way you were going to most likely get drove on and Mr. Hoodie knew it.  Patriots gave us a few turnovers that were key, but on the other hand, Peyton threw two wobble ducks that were intercepted by the Pats.  Those interceptions accompanied by several dropped ball huge plays by the Indy rookie receivers were alot of potential points lost.  Either team could have won by more than one possession, but thats why its football, it works both ways.

[Matt Fly]

The history of the NFL has the odds figured on those type of calls.

Just like the coin toss of over time.

You can defy the odds for so long, sooner or later, the odds come back to haunt ya. Bellacheck is the only coach to ever defy the odds.

If they make it, it was great call, and if they don't, it was bonehead call.

Maybe if they hadn't of got rid of Richard Seymour before the start of the season, they may have put some pressure on Manning!

Rodney Harrison and Teddy Brewski think it was statement saying defense couldn't stop Peyton which is not a good signal to send your defense!

They apparently don't like it!

[Catt]

The Colts 4th quarter drives prior to the winning TD

Time of possession: 1:59

Drive began: Indy 21

# of plays: 5

Yards gained: 79

Result: TD

Time of possession: 0:00

Drive began: Indy 18

# of plays: 1

Yards gained: 0

Result: Int

Time of possession: 1:44

Drive began: Indy 21

# of plays: 6

Yards gained: 79

Result: TD

The Int was a poor throw by Manning not good defense by the Pats; proving the Pats defense could not stop Manning.

A punt from the 28 typically nets 38 yards, starting the Colts at their own 34 with 2:00 on the clock.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

Seemed like a bonehead call at the time,

but Catt has changed my view.

8-)

[llPa1nll]

The Colts 4th quarter drives prior to the winning TD

Time of possession: 1:59

Drive began: Indy 21

# of plays: 5

Yards gained: 79

Result: TD

Time of possession: 0:00

Drive began: Indy 18

# of plays: 1

Yards gained: 0

Result: Int

Time of possession: 1:44

Drive began: Indy 21

# of plays: 6

Yards gained: 79

Result: TD

The Int was a poor throw by Manning not good defense by the Pats; proving the Pats defense could not stop Manning.

A punt from the 28 typically nets 38 yards, starting the Colts at their own 34 with 2:00 on the clock.

One of the reasons for their later success in the game I believe was that the Pats failed to get as much pressure on Manning as they were in the previous 3 qtrs. This was in part due to the Pats top pass rusher being on the bench injured, Tony Banta-Cain. Although not a great call by BB, I can see his reasoning behind it. His pass rushing capabilities were severely diminished leaving his defense vulnerable in the 4th qtr as shown by Indy's drives.

I think however the Pats can take allot of positives out of this game. First and foremost was the standout play of rookie left tackle Volmer. He had a great game and pretty much had Freeny a non issue, most of the game. Also the throws by Brady seems to getting tighter. He was hitting Moss in stride.

However their weakness in the redzone is still a problem. They will win the division and be in the playoffs. With that loss to Indy though I dont see them getting a first round bye.

[Catt]

It wasn't that Bill Belichick had no confidence in his defense it was just he had total confidence in Payton Manning. If Belichick punts the ball he's putting the game in Manning's hands so he decided instead to put the game in Tom Brady, Randy Moss, & Kevin Faulk's hands.

The mistake Belichick made was calling a time out which gave the Colts defense time to analyze the situation and make the proper adjustments; what Belichick should have done was continue the flow of the game leaving the Colts guessing.

The only sure fire was to stop a Payton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Bret Farve is to not give them the ball period.

[Matt Fly]

His former players said it was a slap in the face to the defense.

Peyton threw one duck, and it wouldn't be the first game he's ever had with multiple INT's.

   So making him go 70 yards leaves room for error under that kind of pressure. 

     Younger receivers for Peyton, could fumble after the catch, penalty for holding.   One thing for sure, with 70 yards to go, your not as apt to run the ball like they did right off the bat catching NE off guard.

       And comparing Bellacheck stats when alot of the time he's been ahead by 30 and going for it is not the same when the game is on the line.