With 4 minutes to go and they are in field goal range. They could have taken 2 knees and kicked a field goal and have the game virtually wrapped up. But no!! They take a sack and then a holding penalty on the next play to put them out of field goal range. That first pass has to be one of the worst play calls I have ever seen next to Seattle's play call 2 years ago.
I dunno, I thought the pass on 3rd and 1, which led to Ice fumbling, was even worse: you get 1 yard, and that means at least 2-3 minutes are coming off the clock with a 16 point lead. Even if it gets stuffed, some time comes off, you punt, and make them drive the length of the field for the first of 2 touchdowns with 2 point conversions needed on both. Instead, they cough it up in their own territory, get scored on quickly, and then the defense got tighter than Ebenezer Scrooge. Ice showed no peripheral vision in that fumble, then, inexplicably takes a sack in the sequence you mentioned. His rep as a choker came back at the worst possible moment.
I'm a Raiderfan so im.one of the biggest Pats haters in the country. But one of the stupidest reasons I heard today was that the game was rigged. This guy said the refs gave the 2H to the Pats w penalties. Then he said it was rigged because the Pats started completing passes that were dropped earlier.
I completely agree. This was the biggest mistake and when game was given away. I said to the person next to me right after that ridiculous catch by Julio. Now you run it three straight times. If you get no where you take a 2 score lead with under 3 mins left. Barring them recovering an onside kick you won the game. I don't know what they were trying to do dropping back to pass on 2nd down. I can assure you the pats would have run 3 consecutive there other way around. I still can't believe they called a pass on that play. It's so shocking given what's at stake and I'm just a lowly fan and know better than their coaching staff. Falcons played well enough to win up to that point and coaches gave it away.
Glad I didn't bet the game..........Thought I would enjoy it as a Fan.........and I did for much of the game.......Shanahan is at least gone (head coach now with another team)....Yeah, he did well this year, but there is no reason to do anything after the Julio catch n 4th quarter because 1) he is in FG Range with a great kicker and 2) he is in FG Range with a great kicker.......all you have to do is sit on the ball and go up 2 scores.....
