It's been a slow off-season and I wanted to propose a few calls that Bill Belichick did/did not make and determine whether statistically it was the right decision, and what YOU would do in the same circumstances. Feel free to discuss other ones (4th and 2, intentional safety, etc). The ones I'm interested in discussing are:
Superbowl 53: Patriots vs Rams
Scenario: With 1:12 remaining in the 4TH QTR, the Patriots elected to kick a 41 yard FG by Stelhen Gostowski on 4th and inches. Patriots lead 10-3.
My opinion:
Bad call. Gostowski missed a 46 yard FG earlier in the game in the first quarter. There is just so much that can go wrong. He can miss it which would give the Rams the ball on the 24 yard line with 1:12 remaining and a timeout. The ball could have been bipped/blocked and/or fumbled which would have given a better chance for the Rams to score. Gostowski has missed 4 kicks in the Superbowl (2 XPs, 2 FGs), so I would not have been that comfortable with him being successful. Expecially with Donald and Suh on the line. The question is, do you trust Brady and the offense to pick up an inch on 4th down, or do you trust Gostowski to nail a 41 yard FG? I trust Brady more.
Superbowl 49: Patriots vs Seahawks
Scenario: Bill Belichick doesn't take a timeout after first down run by Marshawn Lynch. Ball is on the 1 yard line with 1:06 remaining, with the Patriots up 28-24.
My opinion:
Bad call. I was screaming at the TV for him to call a timeout, let the defense rest and perserve time for Brady to potentially lead the game tying drive with about a minute left if Seattle scored on the following play. Obviously the Malcolm Butler happened right after this. But if they scored, the Patriots would have 20 seconds remaining to get in FG range down 3. Was it the right call?
Superbowl 42: Patriots vs Giants
Scenario: 4th and 13 on the Giants 32 yard line, 3rd QTR Belichick goes for it. 7-3 Patriots.
My opinion:
Bad call again. Brady ended up missing Moss and it was a turnover on downs. Did we not trust Gostowski then to kick a 49 yard FG? What has a better success rate, a 49 yard FG or a 4th and 13 conversion knowing the Giants Dline was destroying them. The Patriots ended up losing by 3. I will go to my grave thinking that if they kick the FG there, they will win the game.
Superbowl 53: Patriots vs Rams
Scenario: With 1:12 remaining in the 4TH QTR, the Patriots elected to kick a 41 yard FG by Stelhen Gostowski on 4th and inches. Patriots lead 10-3.
My opinion:
Bad call. Gostowski missed a 46 yard FG earlier in the game in the first quarter. There is just so much that can go wrong. He can miss it which would give the Rams the ball on the 24 yard line with 1:12 remaining and a timeout. The ball could have been bipped/blocked and/or fumbled which would have given a better chance for the Rams to score. Gostowski has missed 4 kicks in the Superbowl (2 XPs, 2 FGs), so I would not have been that comfortable with him being successful. Expecially with Donald and Suh on the line. The question is, do you trust Brady and the offense to pick up an inch on 4th down, or do you trust Gostowski to nail a 41 yard FG? I trust Brady more.
Superbowl 49: Patriots vs Seahawks
Scenario: Bill Belichick doesn't take a timeout after first down run by Marshawn Lynch. Ball is on the 1 yard line with 1:06 remaining, with the Patriots up 28-24.
My opinion:
Bad call. I was screaming at the TV for him to call a timeout, let the defense rest and perserve time for Brady to potentially lead the game tying drive with about a minute left if Seattle scored on the following play. Obviously the Malcolm Butler happened right after this. But if they scored, the Patriots would have 20 seconds remaining to get in FG range down 3. Was it the right call?
Superbowl 42: Patriots vs Giants
Scenario: 4th and 13 on the Giants 32 yard line, 3rd QTR Belichick goes for it. 7-3 Patriots.
My opinion:
Bad call again. Brady ended up missing Moss and it was a turnover on downs. Did we not trust Gostowski then to kick a 49 yard FG? What has a better success rate, a 49 yard FG or a 4th and 13 conversion knowing the Giants Dline was destroying them. The Patriots ended up losing by 3. I will go to my grave thinking that if they kick the FG there, they will win the game.