It's not the first time Bill Belichick has made a curious decision.
But his decision to kick the ball off in overtime that resulted in the Jets driving for the game winning touchdown to beat his Patriots on Sunday could be rooted in what happened during Super Bowl XLIX.
NFL Appeal Accuses Tom Brady Of Rewarding Managers For Deflating Footballs
In both occasions, Belichick gambled on his defense over giving Tom Brady a chance to win the game for him. Against Seattle last February, the gamble worked. On Sunday, it backfired.
Belichick wanted his defense on the field because he trusted his defense more than his offense.
"There was no confusion," Belichick said, according to NFL.com. "We were looking at field position. ... I thought it was the best thing to do."
Belichick has kicked to start overtime before in the era of the rule change in which a touchdown on the first possession over overtime wins the game, CBS Sports reported. But the rash of injuries forced New England to think outside the box, according to Yahoo Sports.
"Instead, the Patriots gave the ball away. Why? Because injuries are forcing this team to get a little nutty. Not desperate, but definitely reaching and risking more than it historically would.
"... But the reality is New England made a bad decision that is largely rooted in injuries. ... There was wonder if New England's defense, which already had scored a touchdown and nearly changed the game on a batted pass late, might pull some tricks and help make an unconventional decision seem a whole lot smarter."
During Super Bowl XLIX, Belichick refused to call a timeout after Seattle's Marshawn Lynch ran the ball to the Patriots 1-yard line with a minute left and the Seahawks on the verge of taking a 31-28 lead.
The Seahawks allowed the clock to run to 26 seconds left when quarterback Russell Wilson threw the more questionable pass that Malcom Butler intercepted just outside the goal line to help the Patriots preserve the victory.
Belichick left the game in the defense's hands, and it responded. He did it again Sunday against the Jets, and it failed.
Simple as that.
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