By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

Two minutes, eight seconds remaining. That’s all that separates you from being the first team to knock off the undefeated Colts. It’s fourth down, two yards to go, and you’re on your own 28-yard line. Oh, and you’re winning—not losing—by six points.

Unless you’re a Madden madman, you punt. Surely, the coach recognized as one of the best in the league would know this.

He obviously didn’t and it was a costly decision.

The Patriots failed to convert, giving Peyton Manning 1:57, the ball needing to only gain 28 yards to keep the Colts unbeaten.

New England outplayed the Colts all game. They had more passing yards, more rushing yards, and more time of possession. The turnover battle was even. A Stephen Gostkowski field goal gave them a 13-point lead with only a little over four minutes remaining. All this was done in Indianapolis as the visitor. Truly, it was an inspiring performance.

However, great teams are able to close out games. The Patriots could not close, could not finish off the Colts.

“We didn’t finish,” said receiver Wes Welker. “When it comes down to it, the other stuff doesn’t matter. Coming down to the end, we’ve got to finish. We didn’t do that.”

Not all of the blame can be put on Belichick. The defense still needed to stop Manning, no matter where he was on the field; and a field goal wasn’t going to win them the game, so field position isn’t the best excuse. The team was only 3-6 in the red zone, including a Laurence Maroney fumble on the one yard line. Also, there was no guarantee the Pats D would stop Manning if they had punted so Belichick played to win, putting the ball in the hands of his future Hall of Fame quarterback.

But how bold do you have to be when you’ve been the dominant team all game? You’re winning. You’ve picked off Peyton Manning twice.

That decision, and this game, certainly made some statements about the Patriots.

Belichick made a strong statement in the confidence, or lack thereof, of his defense.

“I would look at this decision as a lack of confidence in our ability as a defensive unit to come up with a big play to win the game,” wrote former Patriots linebacker Teddy Bruschi. “I’m wondering why we weren’t given the chance to do what we’ve been coached to do ever since the first day we practiced.”

Former safety Rodney Harrison agreed.

“The message that you are sending in the locker room is: I have no confidence in my young guys on my defense,” he said.

The Patriots normally do a good job of playing things one game at a time and not panicking, but it will be interesting to see how the defense responds.

Had the Patriots won, they would have sent a clear message to the entire league that they were back in full force, knocking off what many feel is the best team in the league. However, now all people will see is a loss and an extremely questionable coaching decision (which Boston sports fans are not unfamiliar with. Grady Little and Pedro Martinez anybody?)

The chance to beat one of the best teams in the league was important. Three of New England’s wins this season have come against poor competition: Buffalo, Tennessee, and Tampa Bay. Those teams combined have seven wins, one more than the Patriots have on their own. Can New England really hang with the big boys? Or is their record more smoke and mirrors?

The Patriots are still in first place, and since the Jets lost, New England didn’t lose any ground in the division. However, the lead is only two games over the Jets, who beat New England in week two, and now the Miami Dolphins. There are seven games left in the season, and the Patriots will face both the Jets and Dolphins one more time each (home against New York and away at Miami). There’s a lot of football left and anything can happen, so that two game cushion isn’t something to rest on.

In the professional league with the least amount of games on the regular season schedule, every game is magnified and the wins are that much more important.

Giving one away like the Patriots did last night to the Colts is inexcusable and New England fans better hope that it does not come back to haunt them, like the last time they couldn’t close.

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