Patriots vs. Broncos: Takeaways From 20-18 Loss

4th Down Decisions/Gostkowski PAT

Let’s start with the two decisions to go for it on 4th down instead of kicking two field goals late in the game.

I know this is probably the unpopular opinion, especially in hindsight, but I didn’t have a huge problem with Belichick electing to go for the touchdown both times. The first time around, it was 4th-and-1 at the Denver 16 with 6:03 remaining. I understand that is a lot of time, and you still have 3 timeouts, but at that point in the game, your offense had shown no signs of being able to move the ball on this defense. Since all you needed was a yard, and there was no guarantee Brady and company would be able to advance the ball this far again, I can understand Belichick going for it. I don’t neccessirly think it was a “no-brainer,” but I sympathize with the Hoodie’s decision. Trusting Brady and company to get one yard instead of putting together another 70 or 80 yard drive a few minutes later (if you defense even gets a stop) is something I can support.

The second time I also agree with, and I think a lot more people understand the second one than the first, simply because of how much time there was left in the game, and the fact that he hadn’t kicked a field goal the first time. If he had, and the score was 20-15, kicking it again would have made sense because then all Brady would have needed was another field goal to win the game. But since they had already gone for it, and still needed a touchdown, rolling the dice again on 4th-and-6 with only 2:25 left was understandable. You needed a touchdown, so you went for it. That’s fine by me.

Lastly, a quick thought on Gostkowski’s PAT miss. It’s too early for me to completely forgive him, but this loss is not on him. I respect him taking all of the blame in the post-game, but the fact is, New England’s offense let too many opportunities slip away throughout this game. The missed extra point was huge. That I am not arguing. I really wish he hadn’t waited until the worst possible game to finally miss one. But he should not be shouldering all of the blame for this loss. He is still the best kicker in the league, and with the game on the line, there is nobody I would rather have in my corner than Gostkowski.

Next: Brady/Gronk