Source
r/Patriots•
Plutor

Did Belichick once challenge an interception by a Patriot?

I have this memory that isn't solid enough to be able to find evidence for, but is solid enough that I can't convince myself it's fake. Someone help me out.

  • Close game, defense forces a 4th down, opponent goes for it
  • Gunslinger QB throws deep
  • Someone on the secondary (McCourty?) intercepts it near the sideline (costing the offense ~30 yards of field position)
  • Belichick challenges the catch by his own defender
  • Challenge is unsuccessful

Did this really happen? Like, in the last 3 years, probably?

Posted Aug 21, 2018, 6:05 PM UTC

3523
john7071HOLY TOLEDO•

This was Duron Harmon intercepting an Alex Smith deep throw in the Divisional Playoffs in 2015 vs. the Chiefs.

The Pats had been in control for most of the game. Harmon caught the ball deep down the right sideline, but didn't have control of the ball IIRC. Challenging the interception is much better, taking over on down at the line of scrimmage brings you closer to the opponent's endzone.

This is why on 4th down, many coaches teach players to knock the ball down.

Here's the play, courtesy of u/timnog: https://gfycat.com/LameElementaryCaterpillar

This is a 30+ yard difference. That's huge, any coach that can knows what 2+2 is would challenge this play.

101
sweens90•

Of course its u/timnog

36
shatter321•

We love our u/timnog , don't we folks?

15
WaywardSachem•

I have two glasses every morning before work!

5
sixteensandals•

I like McCourty enthusiastically giving the catch signal there.

7
PlutorOP•

Yes! Thank you, I knew I wasn't crazy.

5
_Tonan_•

Is a turnover on 4th down not automatically reviewed like other downs?

1
john7071HOLY TOLEDO•

I'm not sure what happened here. Naturally, all turnovers are reviewed, but we did end up taking over from the original line of scrimmage.

2
gronksmash1287•

I remember this yes, believe it was Harmon who caught it

Against the Ravens maybe?

26
john7071HOLY TOLEDO•

Chiefs. Divisional round, 2015.

11
kickersarepeople•

Yeah but the challenge was successful. OP had it wrong but everything else right

6
MurderingRayLewis•

Yeah I remember it being Harmon too.

2
Neferati•

Yes he did, because the field position would have been better.

16
Dhajj•

Yup as a others have mentioned here.

I was surprised for such a well coached BB team that any player would’ve attempted an interception on 4th down so far away from scrimmage...

I still remember shaking my head in disbelief

7
advilliousGOAT•

it's duron harmon in the 4th quarter. it's what he DOES.

11
I_Need_Cowbell•

Death, taxes, Duron Harmon making monster plays in the 4th

1
Themalster•

Duron Harmon making Richard Kuklinski blush with this ice man routine.

1
shatter321•

Honestly, when you're a defender and see the ball, instinct takes over. You try to make a play, you aren't thinking about the ramifications.

2
AdminsAreSRSschills•

You should be, and BB is going to be pissed at you if you don't.

2
mr_funtastic•

That's not true even from high school. If it's 4th down on a deep ball and you can knock it down, then you knock it down.

2
AntiGravityTurtle•

I've read before that sometimes it is actually coached. It's a 30-yard setback but if you aren't well clear of any opponent, an intentional deflection or pbu could be caught on rebound then you don't get the ball at all.

It's better to have the ball 30 yards farther away than not have it at all.

Or so I've heard

1
jmarFTL•

I can just imagine sarcastic deadpan Belichick giving Harmon so much shit for this Monday morning.

4
ishouldmakeanaccount•

I heard he did it to teach his players that stats are fleeting and meaningless and that he controls their ultimate destiny

-4