The Great Debate In The AFC

If you didn't see it, you probably heard about the questionable coaching call of New England head coach Bill Belichick which was just one stepping stone in the Colts' path to a big 35-34 comeback in a big game.

Many were quick to criticize Belichick. However, it is only fair to go back and reconsider the circumstances: Peyton Manning led a quick strike down the field to score on the previous drive, making it 34-28. It's fourth-down and two to go on your own 28-yard-line. If you punt it, you're putting the ball back in the hands of the three-time MVP quarterback with about two minutes and two timeouts. You can guess they would start roughly at there own 30-yard-line (70 yards to go).
Or...
You can go for it and all but win with a first down.

Considering the offense vs. defense caliber of both teams, I must say I agree with Belichick's call to go for it. In my mind, Tom Brady and the Patriots were favored to pick up two yards right then and there then the defense was to stop Manning in a two-minute drill. The only problem: It didn't happen.

Another decision by the Patriots head coach which made some people groan was his decision to use his two remaining timeouts a few plays before. The decision clearly shows that Belichick wanted to put together a scoring drive. Little did he know, Belichick would have liked to use one of those timeouts to challenge a ball spot after New Englansd running back Kevin Faulk made a bobbling catch while being pushed back by Indianapolis safety Melvin Bullitt. The actual spotting of the ball was a challenge even for the referees (after watching the replay over and over, I think they got it right).

Belichick's gamble ended up a failure, and Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense capitalized on the opportunity after he quickly and effectively moved the ball down the field and found wide receiver Reggie Wayne in the endzone for the go-ahead touchdown.

I'm sure even Belichick was kicking himself at this point, thinking he alone cost the Patriots the game. But the Colts made the 30-yard drive look pretty easy; what's to say the extra field tacked on from the punt wouldn't have been just as easy? In all likelihood, I think the Colts ended the game too hot to overcome, and Belichick made the best possible decision hold the lead.