Going for it on 4th and 13

[SouperMeister]

I was disappointed that Chris Myers didn't ask Belichick about his thought process going for it on 4th and 13 the first drive of the 2nd half when a 49 yard field goal was clearly the better percentage play (especially in a dome). If you want to credit Belichick for brilliant coaching moves, then you must also be critical of this obvious gaffe. He drafted Gostkowski 2 years ago with a 4th round pick, which is pretty high for a kicker. To me, that demonstrated an obvious lack of confidence in your kicker.

[MTK]

Very dumb decision. A classic example of Belichick's arrogance. Nice to see it blow up in his face for once.

[Skinny Tee]

They went for it on fourth a lot when they were up huge in games this past year. Felt so good to have this irony bomb blast full on to Billichick's face during a international game.

By the way, I'm not against disrespecting your opponents by going for it on fourth down when you're already up big...I'm also not against laughing when it comes back and blow up in your face. It all comes out in the wash.

[SmootSmack]

I think they had said that Gostkowski was hurt or something like that which is why they went for it there. If that's true, I guess I can forgive not kicking it.

But my alternative to attempting a field goal would have been to punt it and hope to pin the Giants back deep.

Like they say though, you live by the sword you die by the sword

[FRPLG]

That was their M.O. this year. It usually worked for them.

[BDBohnzie]

In his short career, Gostkowski is 6-10 on FGs 40 yards or longer. His longest this year was 45 yards. However, given that they were up 7-3 at the time, BB should have sent his kicker out there to attempt the 49 yarder. At least then, you have a chance of points on the board, whereas going for it, the only thing you save is 7 yards if Gostkowski happens to miss it...

The more telling story was the last Patriots drive. 3 timeouts left, and not trying to use the middle of the field to their advantage? 3rd and 4th down, running the exact same play into the exact same coverage, when they needed a FG to tie. Moss ran the same seam route twice in a row, and both times it fell incomplete. The fact that Brady even mentioned himself that his worry was throwing a deep ball 65 yards and having it go only 55 (because of his ankle) tells me that they were arrogant enough to think it would work. That killed them more than not sending out Gostkowski when they were up 7-3.

[LandrySlice]

While it did usually work for them, I have ever enjoyed seeing them fail as much as I did last night while drinking my refreshing Bud Light!

[skinsfan69]

Should have kicked it. It was 4-13. Bad move and it might have cost him in the end.

[firstdown]

I thiought I heard that their kicker was having trouble hitting long kicks before the game in warm ups. He probably like his odds better and did not want to give up the extra yards by kicking the ball.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

That was their M.O. this year. It usually worked for them.

I would say it was ther MO going for it on 4th and less than 6 in opponent's territory most of this year, but I don't ever recall seeing them go for it on 4th and 13, especially in FG range. I was equally shocked when Belichick chose to punt earlier in that drive on 4th and 2 from the Giants 44, only to be given a reprieve when the Giants had too many men on the field. Bottom line, Coughlin and his brain trust outcoached Belichick and his staff. You NEVER go on 4th and 13 in FG range at that point in a game. You just don't do it.

Footnote: for those saying that Gostkowski was hurt, it was reported that he was hitting from 52 during pre-game warm-ups. He started the game kicking off 2 yards deep in the end zone, and even his last kickoff was fielded at the 3 yard line, forcing Eli into a long drive to win the game. I would say that's enough evidence that his leg was fine.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Personally, I think Belichick's arrogance clouded his judgment on that play. He probably thought, "Well, if we don't convert, we'll have no trouble making up for it by scoring several touchdowns later in the game."

I believe you should always send your kicker out in that situation. A field goal would have made it a 7 point game. If the kicker was hurt, then I would say, "Don't go into the super bowl without a healthy kicker."

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I would say it was ther MO going for it on 4th and less than 6 in opponent's territory most of this year, but I don't ever recall seeing them go for it on 4th and 13, especially in FG range. I was equally shocked when Belichick chose to punt earlier in that drive on 4th and 2 from the Giants 44, only to be given a reprieve when the Giants had too many men on the field. Bottom line, Coughlin and his brain trust outcoached Belichick and his staff. You NEVER go on 4th and 13 in FG range at that point in a game. You just don't do it.

Footnote: for those saying that Gostkowski was hurt, it was reported that he was hitting from 52 during pre-game warm-ups. He started the game kicking off 2 yards deep in the end zone, and even his last kickoff was fielded at the 3 yard line, forcing Eli into a long drive to win the game. I would say that's enough evidence that his leg was fine.

Yeah I'm not sure where this BS over him being hurt is coming from. Chris Myers followed up on that during the game and said he was fine.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I can understand going for it on 4th and 3 when it would be a 49 yarder. But going for it on 4th and 13 with a healthy kicker and a sputtering offense doesn't make much sense. Perplexing to say the least.

[JoeRedskin]

He was just trying to avoid overtime. :P

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Yeah I'm not sure where this BS over him being hurt is coming from. Chris Myers followed up on that during the game and said he was fine.

I thought I heard the announcers make some mention of it after the failed attempt. Either way, it was an arrogant mistake to go for it.