The Martin Mandate: Week 14

Note: I was unable to post the Week 13 Mandate due to some technical issues. For reference, it was St. Louis +8.5 over the Bears.

The revenge factor was front and center as the Mandate bounced back last week with a win. Looking at this week's slate, I am tempted to go with a game that I actually like. I could probably rationalize a revenge pick against the Bears again and take that Packers  -2.5, but that really isn't in the spirit of the Costanza Method. Instead, I will pick a team that can start Matt Moore at quarterback and not experience a big drop-off in talent across the board. Oh yes, this week's Martin Mandate is...

Carolina Panthers +13.5 over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots' struggles will continue as the Panthers come in and play them tough at home. Even with a playoff spot on the line, Brady and Belichick will come up short against the ferocious...

Wait, what the hell am I saying? This can't be right. I must look to my mentor for guidance. George, help me!

"Jerry, just remember, it's not a lie if you believe it."

A Fair Trial for Belichick

I have absolutely no problem with Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on 4th and 2 from his own 28-yard line against the Colts last night. The Pats defense was clearly not going to stop Peyton Manning, and if New England had converted that first down, the game would have essentially been over. But this is not what I want to talk about in this post.

I am elated that Belichick went for it and failed. This has nothing to do with my team allegiances; I very much respect and admire Bill Belichick and I have no ill will toward either the Patriots or the Colts. I am elated because the situation allows for this call to be evaluated without bias.

The fact that this call was made by a coach with tremendous prestige, who has won enough to be given the benefit of the doubt in nearly every situation, allows each member of the media to fairly evaluate the decision, rather than just reacting to the outcome. The fact that he failed means that media members can logically fall on both sides of the argument. Had it succeed, I guarantee that everyone would be praising the call as another Belichickian stroke of genius. As it is, this is a rare situation where a neutral observer can fairly develop an opinion on the merits of the coach's decision, not the result.

Too often coaches are judged on the outcome of their decisions, which as Tom Brady reminded us, is out of their control, rather that the quality of the decision itself. Although it is unfortunate that such an unlikely confluence of circumstances was required for this to happen, it is refreshing to see a coach ripped/praised for something that was actually under his control.