What a clusterf**k.
The Indianapolis Colts hosted the New England Patriots last night in a rematch of last season's controversial AFC Championship game.
That was the night when the Deflategate scandal was born, as the Pats, and quarterback Tom Brady, were accused of intentionally letting the air out of their footballs.
The Pats hammered the Colts that night and went on to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but the run-up to the latest game in the rivalry was dominated by the New England's determination to really make a point.
As it turns out, Indy gave a better account of itself than many feared, losing 34-27, but the result has been completely overshadowed by one of the stupidest attempts at a trick play in NFL history.
Trailing by just six points, the Colts looked set to punt the ball back to New England at the end of the third quarter, only to instead come up with the most bizarre fake punt attempt.
In an effort to confuse the Patriots, the entire Colts offensive line sprinted out to the right touchline, leaving just diminutive wide receiver Griff Whalen and safety Colt Anderson over the ball.
Of course, the Pats sniffed the play out, keeping several defenders in front of the snap in anticipation of the fake, leaving the Colts with just one option - call timeout and live to fight another day by lining up a regular punt.
The only person who didn't realise this was Whalen, who snapped the ball anyway and then proceeded not to attempt to block any of the onrushing Patriots, who quickly swallowed up Anderson to the disbelief of the nine men lined up to the right hand side.
To make matters worse, even if Anderson somehow had made the three yards needed for a first down, the Colts were penalised as none of the players to the right were actually lined up properly on the line of scrimmage.
Naturally, the Patriots seized the moment and quickly scored what proved to be the winning touchdown.
https://twitter.com/mikefreemanNFL/status/655941165607292928
https://twitter.com/JasonColeBR/status/655942091806257152
https://twitter.com/MatthewBerryTMR/status/655941430700019712
https://twitter.com/jadande/status/655941161547202560
https://twitter.com/WilliamsonNFL/status/655943586152734720
https://twitter.com/FauxAndyLuck/status/655946714013114368
https://twitter.com/WillMcAvoyACN/status/655947013024972800
https://twitter.com/mhenderson95/status/655944974052143104
