One has to take their hat off to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. They were certainly the best team on the field during last night’s Super Bowl.
If you were a Patriots fan there are countless things you could look back towards as keys to the crushing defeat but I will choose to focus on one in particular. Late in the second quarter the Patriots faced a 4th and 13 from the Giants 31 yard line. The conventional wisdom would hold here that one should attempt a field goal. Regardless of whom your kicker is, a 48 yard field goal in warm, dry, conditions should and must be something your team can rely on.
But what Bill Belichick opted to do in this situation was to keep his offense on the field and try to pick up a first down. The Patriots were unsuccessful.
The Giants ultimately ran out the half with the Patriots leading 7-3. It didn’t seem like much at the time but with a final score of Giants 17, Patriots 14 it was all that separated the two teams.
Bill Belichick is still one of the greatest coaches in NFL history but to squander the chance at 3 points in what should have been a “no brainer” smacks of poor coaching. 4th and short yardage is difficult enough to accomplish but 4th and 13 within field goal range? I still can’t begin to imagine what he is thinking.
The Patriots overwhelming beginning to 2007 was sparked by a crushing playoff defeat at the hands of the Colts. Let’s hope a similarly deflating loss can serve as a catalyst to a great 2008.
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I still can't believe that loss. The Giants D was unbelievable and the amount of time they controlled the ball on offense was also impressive. I'm still not sure why Belichick didnt want to kick that field goal either. So many missed chances to seal the deal.
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