The New England Patriots should've won that game. And when I say Patriots, I am referring to the 45 men who pulled on their jerseys and played their hearts out against a gutsy Colts team. It was their coach who lost them the game. Coach Bill Belichick, the man I usually have nothing but praise for, blew the game. He made a decision based on pure emotion and it got the best of him.

Yes, Bill Belichick is a cocky man. I have never denied this. You need to have some swagger to succeed in the NFL. But tonight's decision to go for it on 4th and 2, in their own territory, showed how a big ego can cost you. If Kevin Faulk (who had an outstanding game) pushes forward another foot or so, we're calling Belichick a genius and worshipping at his altar once again. Instead, he's the goat.

They could've punted. Chris Hanson was averaging 44 yards a punt with no returns thanks to excellent coverage that continually forced fair catches. A 44 yard punt would've put Indy on their own 28 with about two minutes to play. Instead they started at New England's 28, quite the symmetry there. 78 yards versus 28. That's the difference between what the D could've had behind them and what they were stuck with.

I don't blame the Patriots' D. Wilhite had the athletic interception that looked like it was going to seal the game. I don't blame Darius Butler for the pass interference; it looked like incidental contact to me. I don't blame Tom Brady; he played a heck of a game. I can't blame Kevin Faulk; he deserved the game ball. I can't blame Sebastian Vollmer; he's making us forget Matt Light. Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and even Laurence Maroney; they all played hard and deserved to win.

I'm not even upset at the Colts. They never quit and never surrendered. And when given the opportunities, they took them. Manning wasn't at his best; yet still put together a fantastic game. Reggie Wayne made some terrific catches. Robert Mathis scares me a heck of a lot more than Dwight Freeney now.

But in the end, I blame Bill Belichick. And he better step up to the microphone and accept responsibility for blowing this game.