Colts’ botched fake punt wasn’t meant to be snapped at all

The Indianapolis Colts ran the worst fake punt in NFL history on Sunday, but was the play ever meant to be run at all?

The Indianapolis Colts suffered a heart-breaking loss to the New England Patriots during Sunday night’s AFC title game rematch, losing 34-27.  After losing the AFC Championship to New England last season amid the now infamous Deflategate scandal, a win on Sunday would have been a huge statement for the Colts. Instead, it will be remembered for what will surely be one of the worst plays of the season.

Down 27-21 with 1:12 left on the clock in the third quarter, the Colts were facing a fourth and three situation on their own 37-yard line. Obviously, they would choose to punt in this situation, right?! Well, the team instead opted to run a gadget play instead, hoping to force the Patriots to make a mistake. Instead, it ended about as badly as one would expect when you leave the long-snapper and the kicker alone in the center of the field.

Of course, that led many to wonder exactly what Chuck Pagano and his coaching staff were thinking calling such a play. However, it becomes quite a bit clearer when you consider that the ball was never meant to be snapped.

The Colts were obviously trying to get the Patriots to get a little gung-ho and jump offsides, giving them the first down on the ensuing five yard penalty. A flag was indeed thrown on the play, but it was deemed an illegal formation on Indianapolis and set New England up with excellent field position.

Regardless of whether the ball was meant to be snapped or not, the play call in general was poor considering the position of the field and the time remaining in a game where both defenses took the night off. Make your defense make a stop and give your offense a chance to put themselves back into the game.

Needless to say, the Patriots had a touchdown and the game gift-wrapped for them on that one play.