New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick defends Seattle Seahawks’ final play call
By Sam Richmond
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is among the very few defending the Seattle Seahawks for throwing the ball in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX.
The Seattle Seahawks’ decision to pass the ball on the New England Patriots’ 1-yard line with fewer than 30 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX has been deemed by many as the worst play call in Super Bowl history.
More from New England Patriots
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- NFL rumors: Patriots screwed themselves with DeAndre Hopkins pursuit
- Bill O’Brien arrival did not end the road for one disliked Patriots coach
- 3 biggest mistakes from the NFL offseason
- NFL Rumors: Dalvin Cook free agency complicated by court filing
But there is at least one guy outside of Pete Carroll, Darrell Bevell and Russell Wilson that agreed with Seattle’s decision to pass the ball: Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
The four-time Super Bowl-winning coach slammed those that have criticized the Seahawks for the questionable play call, which resulted in a Malcom Butler interception that sealed a Patriots Super Bowl victory, in an interview with WEEI.
From ESPN:
"There has been a lot of criticism that I don’t think is anywhere close to being deserved or founded,” Belichick said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on sports radio WEEI in Boston. “That football team is very good, very well-coached, and Pete does a great job.“Malcolm and Brandon [Browner], on that particular play, just made a great play. I think the criticism they’ve gotten for the game is totally out of line and by a lot of people who I don’t think are anywhere near even qualified to be commenting on it.”"
Coaches often stick up for one another, so it’s not too big of a surprise to see Belichick make these comments in support of Carroll and Co. And Belichick is absolutely corrected that Malcom Butler and Brandon Browner were fantastic on the play, which is ultimately the reason that the Patriots came away with the victory.
But Belichick is incorrect in that play call is above questioning. The Seahawks have one of the very best running backs in the league and they decided to pass with the Super Bowl on the line. Lynch had carved up the Patriots’ defense all game long and it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t have been able to get the necessary yard to help the Seahawks clinch a second consecutive Super Bowl title.
Carroll is still a fantastic coach, but he made a risky play call that backfired on him and it’s understandable that he would take heat for it.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle