The New York Jets and the New England Patriots headed to overtime after a tense and dramatic game finished 20-20 after four quarters, and as both teams sent their delegates out for the coin toss, it was looking like whoever won the toss would have a great chance to win the game.
However, some confusion over what the Patriots wanted to do resulted in them electing to kick the ball away, rather than receive, and the Jets subsequently scored with relative ease to win the game.
Our first reaction? We've been there before:
The Patriots just did the real life equivalent of pressing the wrong button in Madden.
Elected to kick the ball away in Overtime.. #Mad
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) December 27, 2015
Now, the Patriots have chosen to kick the ball away in overtime before, with success, but the look on Matthew Slater's face when the choice was made suggests something wasn't quite right:
Even the Jets players were surprised.
And sure enough, moments later the game was over:
Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Eric Decker.
FOR THE WIN! #NEvsNYJ https://t.co/Ed4j2SL8Ou
— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2015
A very strange moment that ultimately cost Bill Belichick and the Patriots, but it's great news for the Jets who managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with that win.
UPDATE:
Bill Belichick has since explained that they wanted to choose the direction that they defended, not to elect to kick. This would leave the Jets to decided if they wanted the ball, or wanted to defend:
Belichick: "We thought it was the best thing to do."
— Jane McManus (@janesports) December 27, 2015
The internet has been swift and brutal in their mockery of the Pats:
People are so quick ? pic.twitter.com/HZyIb7zOX8
— Jasmin Medar (@JasminMedar) December 27, 2015
