A funny thing happened during Monday night’s dismantling of the Patriots at the hands of the Saints: Bill Belichick was proven right in his decision to go for it on 4th-and-2 against the Colts.
Saints Beat Patriots, Prove Belichick Right
↵After that game two weeks ago, and after New England failed to convert the fourth down, many were quick to rip Belichick (despite the fact math said it was the right move), including two of his former players who now earn their paychecks as talking heads, Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison. Both criticized the call, not because it didn’t work, but because it “disrespected the defense.” If last night’s loss showed anything, it was that Belichick quite accurately respected his defense, because clearly they are unable to stop good offenses.
↵In the two games against the Colts and Saints, the Pats defense surrendered 957 yards of offense and 73 points. And no one is more aware of their porous problems than Belichick, who twice went for it on fourth down against New Orleans Monday night, on the Patriots opening drive.
↵When Belichick decided to go for it against the Colts, he wasn’t disrespecting his defense -- he was trying to protect it.
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