(USA TODAY Sports Images)
You weren’t alone. Even the New England Patriots captains thought Bill Belichick’s decision to take the wind instead of the ball in overtime was ridiculous.
After New England’s crazy overtime win, Logan Mankins told Comcast SportsNet Live that he and the other captains were confused by Belichick’s decision to kick off to Peyton Manning in order for New England to have the wind at their backs.
“We all looked at each like he was crazy — then we all asked again and again and again. And we just wanted to make sure we were doing exactly what he wanted.”
Belichick’s overtime gamble came 11 years to the day that Detroit Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg declined the opening kickoff in overtime to play to the wind. Mornhinweg became a national laughingstock and lost his job two monts later. Obviously, Belichick had more going for decision than Mornhinweg. He’s in no danger of losing his job, his decision was more “mad genius” than “foolish” and an opening field goal by Denver would have still allowed New England to possess the ball. Belichick’s only gamble was that the Broncos wouldn’t score a touchdown. He won the bet. But was it the smart one?
Unlike his fourth-and-2 gamble gamble against Manning three years ago, the overtime gambit was a risk that appeared to ignore who was lining up under center. Fourth-and-2 respected the fact that Manning with a long field was just as dangerous as Manning with a short one. Kicking off failed to respect Manning’s ability to march Denver down the field for the game-winning touchdown. The wind hadn’t been as big a factor on Sunday as it was in that Mornhinweg game — both teams were able to move the ball with the wind at their faces. Had the Broncos scored, Belichick would have been justifiably roasted for the call. The risk outweighed the reward.
None of it matters now, of course. The Pats stopped Denver and went on to win the game a few possessions later.
“It was a great call because we won,” Rob Gronkowski told WEEI after the game.
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