Originally posted on 02/05/2017:

As others have said, Atlanta has ball on NE 22 yard line with 4:40 to go and a 28-20 lead, NE has two TO's left. Run three times and run the clock to about 2:30 (or more, but NE uses its time outs) and kick what is about a 90% FG try for Matt Bryant. You're up 31-20 with 2:30 or so left. NE has to get a TD, two-point play, onside kick and a FG just to tie. Game is pretty much over.

To sum it up, Atlanta gave away at least a 90% chance (probably more like 98%) by choosing to pass on 2nd and 11 from the 23 instead of just running twice. NFL coaches get into that macho man mentality ("We're going to get a first down and win this thing ourselves right now") instead of playing the odds, and as a result, drastically reduce their chances to win games.

I don't feel bad for Atlanta. They thumbed their noses at the odds and rightfully paid the price.