Despite Loss, Patriots Still Have Hope

The New England Patriots traveled to Indianapolis for yesterday’s Pats-Colts matchup and the Sunday Night Football game of the week, but the persevering New England team came out losing a heartbreaker in an 18-15 Indianapolis victory. Colts’ heavyweights Bob Sanders and Joseph Addai were back on their feet after being out with injuries for the last few weeks, and that combination plus a fully-recovered Marvin Harrison and red-hot Adam Vinatieri led the Colts to slide by the Patriots in the fourth quarter. In such a close back-and-forth game, three crucial mistakes may have cost New England the game last night.

First, there was the Patriots’ failed two-point conversion attempt in the third quarter. After rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored the team’s only touchdown, coach Bill Belichick went for the two-point conversion to get past the Colts when they were down by one (7-6). Kevin Faulk’s rush to the right came up just short, however, and the Colts’ successful two-point conversion later in the game ultimately let the Colts come out on top. Aside from this judgment call, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney also chalked up a big mistake when he dropped a pass from Matt Cassel at the Indy five-yard line, destroying hopes of a touchdown. The other mistake that cost the Patriots in yesterday’s game was tight end David Thomas’ penalty, which he received for hitting a Colts defender after the play was dead. Aside from these mistakes (two of which that could be disputed on ref calls,) the Patriots continue to hold atop the AFC East with a 5-3 record while the Colts struggle to stay in the playoffs race while standing at 4-4.

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