Bill Belichick explains why the Patriots opted for a 56-yard field goal attempt late in Bucs loss

The New England Patriots fell to 1-3 during the season after losing to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 4. While the Patriots were able to hang around against the defending Super Bowl champions, the loss occurred. present some questionable decisions by coach Bill Belichick that apparently directly affected the outcome of the match. The most notable occurred during the last training of the night in New England.

After the Bucs were able to run 45 yards down the field and hit a field goal to give them a 19-17 lead, the Patriots recovered the ball on their own 25-yard line and ended up moving the ball deep into Territory. of Tampa Bay. After an incomplete pass from Mac Jones to Jakobi Meyers, New England faced a 4th-3rd situation on the Bucs 37-yard line with just under a minute to go. That’s when Belichick put the game on the shoulders of kicker Nick Folk, who was asked to put them back in front with a 56-yard field goal attempt.

And it just came short.

Although the setback was 20/20, there was an immediate question as to whether or not the Patriots should have chosen to keep the offense on the field and attempt to move the chains on the fourth down. After all, Mac Jones had made 19 straight passes against that high school at one point in that game and the weather at the time at Gillette Stadium was less than ideal from a kicking point of view. That said, Bill Belichick told reporters on Monday that there is really no question that going with Folk is their best course of action.

“It wasn’t really a decision there,” Belichick said. “We converted two-thirds of downs in the game. Nick [Folk] well booted. No, there was no consideration. “

The Patriots struggled on the third down, converting just two of their nine attempts on the night. This was in large part thanks to a lower ground attack that totaled -1 yards overnight. However, Jones and the passing attack managed to throw 16 of their first 20 conversions overnight, so the question is justified.

The other questionable decision by the technical staff came just before half-time. Instead of taking a shot at the fourth and second points on the Buccaneers’ 44-yard line, New England opted to return the ball to Tampa Bay, who would end up hitting the field in under two minutes and hitting a 44. yards. basket before the break. In both cases, the Patriots decided not to step on the gas and remained conservative. While it might be a good idea in other situations, it did them a disservice on Sunday.