Analysis of Patriots versus Colts

   Ok, it seems that I am a little unproductive this morning as I continue to fume about the Patriots last night.  Am i fuming because of the call to go for it on 4th and 1?  No.  Would I have done it, probably not.  But you will never get criticized for punting away.  Its the easy call.  There was much less outrage about Reid's decision a few weeks ago to kick a field goal when it did not help the team to win the game.  There are other noteworthy parts of the game at need to get discussed, but all the focus is on the decision to go for it on 4th and 2.

  The biggest reason I, and many other fans, are frustrated this morning is because the Patriots dominated that game, yet lost.  No matter what, that is always the most frustrating kind of loss.  See the Jets loss to Miami recently.  What fans can take away from this game is that we know that the Patriots can take it to the Colts in the playoffs if necessary (which I doubt, because I don't think the Colts beat Pittsburg or Cinci if they face them earlier).

  Let's look at the Patriots last possession. Obviously, the need to call a timeout, coming out of a timeout was painful.  How do you have the wrong personnel on the field coming out of a timeout.  Inexcusable. First down, they run the ball for 0-1, timeout Colts.  Predictable, maybe should have done a short throw here since the Colts knew what was coming.  But I'm not complaining.  Second down they get 7 on the short throw to setup 3rd and 2.  Timeout Colts.

  HERE IS THE PROBLEM.  If you think that you might go for it on 4th and 2 if you don't complete the pass, then the 3rd down play was the wrong call.  They should have run the ball!  Then, the Colts either have to call timeout, or the clock runs to the 2 min warning.  Either way, you save that last timeout and you have time to discuss the fourth down play.  Also, I would assume that you can get a yard on 3rd and 2.  This would setup 4th and 1.  The odds of making 4&1 are better than 4&2, even though going for it on 4&2 gave the Patriots a better chance of winning (see NY Times article) Brady is a master at the sneak (he got 2 earlier in the game).  Instead, you are left making 2 yards without a timeout to use to challenge.  Plus you have allowed the Colts to keep a timeout for themselves.

  Its also too bad that Merriweather made the TD saving tackle on Adai when going in at the end of his 8 yard run.  If he misses the tackle, the Patriots have 1:15 left to get a FG. Plenty of time.  The Colts were also helped two times by very ticky tack pass interference calls while they picked the Patriots defenders all game long.  The Patriots were just the better team.

  The next time they play, the Patriots should have all their defensive lineman because missing Jarvis Green and Ty Warren really hurt them in the last quarter.  The Patriots also missed having Taylor at RB when they really needed to stuff it down their throats.  The Colts will have some of their guys back, but none that really affected the outcome of the game (Sanders done for the year).  I look forward to meeting the Colts again the playoffs, but just don't think the Colts will be able to get it done against some of the other playoff teams in the league.