Patriots: Bill Belichick missed a challenge in 4th quarter that could’ve saved New England

The refs put the Patriots in a tough spot, but Bill Belichick should’ve challenged this.

For over three quarters, the New England Patriots played one of the worst games under Bill Belichick in recent memory. Though the odds were stacked against them due to COVID-19, scheduling issues and injuries, putting up three points on the Denver Broncos through three-and-a-half quarters could be considered inexcusable regardless of the circumstances.

And that was the reality until the offense turned it on and the defense started making plays late in the fourth. Not before long it was 18-12 and Cam Newton was driving the Patriots deep into Broncos territory for a shot at the win.

They were eventually stopped on a fourth and long and lost the game, but things could’ve been very different if Belichick got out the challenge flag earlier in the quarter. The refs, who were not helping the Patriots at all throughout the afternoon, made a horrible spot on a third and short that ended up forcing New England to punt.

With three timeouts remaining, Belichick probably should’ve challenged this regardless if his crew got a good look at it.

We can’t sit here and blame the Pats for their inaction there. It was a bang-bang play as James White was hovering about two inches off the ground. At the end of the day, the refs just need to do a better job and not put another team in such a situation where the coaching staff is worried about losing a timeout in the fourth quarter.

Then Belichick was forced to use a challenge way later when the refs somehow missed this obvious touchdown call on a Newton rush. It was just another bad day for officiating and it seems like it’ll never change.

You have two refs on the goal line that can’t see that? Just rule it a touchdown and then go review if you’re unsure. What’s the point of going to replay for every score then?

What a shame. All fans can do it sit back and wonder “what if” after one of the most disappointing losses of the last 20 years.

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