In a bold move, the Patriots attempted to convert a fourth-and-2 from their own 28 with 2:08 remaining to seal the game. QB Tom Brady'spass was completed to RB Kevin Faulkbut came up short leaving the door open for QB Peyton Manning. Why did the Patriots go for it and not punt? "We tried to win the game on that play,” head coach Bill Belichick said according to the *Boston Globe. *"I thought we could have made that yard. I thought we had a good play. We completed it. I don't know how we could not get a yard on that completion, but I guess we didn't."
*ESPN Boston *reports QB Tom Bradywas not surprised by the fourth-and-2 call and had no input in the decision. "Not at all, we've gone for it on fourth down a bunch against these guys, they have a great offense." Read more of Brady's comments here.
The Boston Herald reports LB Tully Banta-Cainleft Sunday's game due to a rib injury. The extent of his injury is unknown.
The *Providence Journal *reports mistakes "doomed" the Patriots before the fourth-down play was called. Click here to find out why.
Entering Sunday's game, the Patriots had converted a fourth-and-2 or shorter 33 out of 52 times since 2001 according to ESPN.
Peter King writes in his SI.com Monday Morning Quarterback that Patriots P Chris Hansonhadn't had any of his four punts returned and averaged a 44-yard net. That means Manning and the Colts offense would've started at their own 28 granted the punting trend continued.
