In the end, it came down to a wise move by New England ( a move most teams pass on)

Journeyman · Sep 9, 2004

Most teams won't save clock in the final minute of the first half...New England was very smart calling those timeouts when the Colts had the ball...It ended up being the difference as they saved enough time to get 3 points...

ALMOST EVERY OTHER TEAM GOES TO THE HALF WITH THOSE TIMEOUTS IN THEIR POCKET!

Brilliant use of timeouts by New England

Buffalo66 · Sep 10, 2004

That's why I love 'em. They are the smartest team in the NFL.

Journeyman · Sep 10, 2004

Bill Belichick isn't afraid to play the game the way its supposed to be played...You notice he didn't just run the ball from his own endzone either? Which almost cost them BTW...

But, my point is the Pats are creative team who are not 'playing to loose' like so many 'prevent' type teams...I LOVED the fact they used their time outs while INDY still had the football....I have never understood how teams will pass up on taking their timeouts to get the ball back before the half ends (which has almost become customary for some reason)

kermit16 · Sep 10, 2004

I agree with everything you said here. Prevent type defense almost always prevents a team from winning IMO

Woody0 · Sep 10, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Journeyman:
....I have never understood how teams will pass up on taking their timeouts to get the ball back before the half ends (which has almost become customary for some reason) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Your remarks are absolutely right on. The customary lack of timeouts at end of first half is because coaches are gutless. They don't want an interception and the opposing team score before the half...as you point out playing not to lose.

Zapster · Sep 10, 2004

I must add a comment though along the same lines.

Manning got sacked with about 36 seconds left in the game. New England wasted a LOT of time before calling one of their two remaining timeouts. Had they called time right away they would have had time to run a few plays before the game was over after getting the ball back. It ended up being moot when Vandy missed the tying FG, but I was SCREAMING at the tv for Bellicek to call timeout right after the sack.

JimFiestSux · Sep 10, 2004

This game was won at the end of the first half when NE drove after the kick off with seconds remaining to hit a late Field Goal. Great coaching IMO not just running the clock out at the half!

Journeyman · Sep 10, 2004

Correct Zapster...New England IMO did not call timeout to ice the kicker like some suggested....They called time in case the Colts tied it...looking to break the kickoff, have a play or two and take a shot at a long field goal....

THAT is why they called timeout...good post!

I have seen too many times one team will have 3 timeouts left, other team is in the red zone , and there will be like 1:30 or so on the clock and the team will allow the clock to wind all the way down, instead of saving what could be close to a minute and a half, they will take the timeouts with them to the locker room...makes no sense, in a close game to waste that opportunity IMO.