Media focusing on wrong thing (surprise)

Sportscenter today on ESPNBoston went on and on about Belichick, Belichick, Belichick, and how he blew the game and other rants about the VERY questionable call. The anchor (Josh something) was so visibly upset about the game, it was funny. Not even trying to hide the bias anymore. Yet no one that I have heard yet has stated the obvious. Belichick did not lose this game, the Colts won it.

N.E. was on a clear path to victory, with leads of 24-7 and 34-14 (the latter in the fourth q). If they were the better team, they would have held that lead and Belichick never would have been placed in that situation. Yet, they folded at the wrong time, and we turned it on full throttle at the right time. For three quarters, they outplayed us. Moss was killing us and was virtually uncoverable. He beat Bethea on that big score, but Bethea did provide valiant coverage regardless. Maybe 2% of NFL WRs would have still caught that pass. Then, we just kept making mistakes on offense. Addai went out for a while. The young Wide outs were clearly overcome with nerves and anxiety. Collie blew a first down conversion by tripping over himself on a screen and stumbled out of bounds which resulted in a 5yd gain that should have been 10+. Then on what should have been the conversion on a quick slant, Garcon quit running his route, resulting in an incompletion. Punt. Later on came drop after drop after drop from Garcon and Collie (and others). Wayne and Clark were getting all the attention and had trouble getting open. The Pats had much better receiver play for the first 3 qs by far. We were missing every opportunity given to us. Then, in mid third Q, the team came out refusing to lose. Brady could no longer find Moss, and was beginning to feel Mathis and Freeney's breath every play. Maroney had a BAD fumbled caused by great defense. Manning began to go into his usual refuse-to-lose mode, and was unstoppable. The Pats D was getting picked apart, and Wayne and Clark were getting more and more space. Chad Simpson played his heart out and deserves a huge token of respect. Collie made a heady play resulting in a PI (which was the right call, regardless of anyone who thinks otherwise) That last pats series resulted in a bad 4th down call because they could not do anything against us on the first three downs. Bullitt made an EXCELLENT play to basically cement the win. The way we were playing, whether it was a 70 yard drive or a 28 yard drive, we were going to win that game because we showed we had the grit that the Pats did not. 

The QBs were basically mirrors of each other last night. Brady had Moss and Welker, two vet stars who were in the zone, while it took a while for Collie and Garcon to loosen up while Wayne and Clark were getting double coverage. The numbers were similar, but Manning did more with less, and did it when it mattered. Manning had a terrible pick which if thrown straight, would have likely been a big TD to Garcon. Then was the miscommunication pick with Wayne, which may have been partially Wayne's fault. Brady had only one pick, but it was critical. Yet, he also was lucky not to have three or four. Powers couldn't hold onto two (one which would have resulted in a pick six on the third and 2 before the infamous 4th and 2, which would have resulted in Brady taking the blame), and I think had Mathis not knocked brady's hand on the last series where Brady's ball went overthrown out of bounds, it would likely have ended up in the hands of Jennings or Powers. They both had their woes and struggles, but Manning was unstoppable in the end, while Brady was feeling the heat.

Last night was a great example of two great teams going at it with everything they had, but the better teams overcome odds and win games in the fourth quarter. That is what the Colts did. Belichick's call was wrong and deserves special attention, but it is repulsive how much attention it is taking away from the game itself. I'm not saying that just because we won. The Pats played nearly as good (but not good enough). It is because that was one of the all time greatest regular season games, and may have been THE greatest in this rivalry. Yet, the media chooses to only talk about Belichick.