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.
That was just stupid. That was worst play this season. That was fireable.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 19, 2015
I've seen some stupid things in 25 years of covering the #NFL. But that punt formation snap by #Colts ranks at the top of any list.
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) October 19, 2015
Let your kid call a play day?
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 19, 2015
Colts just crossed the boundary from bold to stupid
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) October 19, 2015
“Hey Griff, you block these two dudes & I will run for a TD…we will be famous!” pic.twitter.com/AQ71vphv9m
— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) October 19, 2015
20 minutes after that #Colts play and I'm still like pic.twitter.com/SNavFGtNA9
— Faux Andrew Luck (@FauxAndyLuck) October 19, 2015
In a final act of defiance, The Colts coaching staff dramatically hurled the playbook into the sea. pic.twitter.com/CnWGaIeebv
— Will McAvoy (@WillMcAvoyACN) October 19, 2015
Colts gonna raise a new banner post game. #NFL #Football pic.twitter.com/JLhWOBIixK
— Matthew Henderson (@mhenderson95) October 19, 2015
