The Colts Ran the Saddest Play Ever Last Night

Up until Sunday night, the Butt Fumble was the worst play ever run against the Patriots. But now the newly dubbed “Snapfu” has entered our lives.

I can’t stop laughing…is this real life? pic.twitter.com/lgyZl0aDuF

— Toucher and Rich (@Toucherandrich) October 19, 2015

The Colts managed to make it through the first 43 minutes and 46 seconds of their 34-27 loss Sunday night without getting embarrassed. But then with 1:14 remaining in the third quarter, Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano decided to call for possibly the worst fake punt of all time.

https://vine.co/v/e9gTaMtWWQh/embed

Down by six and facing a 4th-and-3 from their own 37-yard line, all but two Colts players lined up on the right side of the field. Though it was clear the Patriots weren’t fooled, wide receiver Griff Whalen decided to snap the ball to Colt Anderson anyway. Unsurprisingly, the results were disastrous.

“Chuck you want to punt the ball?” “Nah lets do that play I wrote down when I was on peyote. It’s time. Namaste”

— Jeff Israel (@jeffisrael25) October 19, 2015

Boldness worked for the Colts early on in Sunday’s contest. Instead of kicking a field goal on a 4th-and-1 from the Patriots’ five-yard line on their first drive of the game, the Colts opted to shoot for the end zone. Andrew Luck connected with Donte Moncrief for the score, and gave Indy the early advantage.

But there’s a difference between showing chutzpah and being stupid. The Snapfu qualifies as the latter.

I still think that fake punt could have worked if there wasn’t one guy blocking 5 Patriots.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 19, 2015

The Patriots have shown how well-executed trickery can alter the tide of a game. In the divisional round against the Ravens last postseason, for example, the Pats played with four offensive linemen on several plays while they were storming back from their second 14-point deficit of the contest. The unique formations befuddled the Ravens, and helped lead the Patriots to victory.

But instead of halting the Patriots’ momentum, the Colts’ miscue wound up putting the game out of reach. The Pats scored four plays later when Tom Brady found LeGarrette Blount for an 11-yard touchdown pass, which stretched the New England lead to 13 points.

And to make matters worse, Colts punter Pat McAfee admitted after the game they’ve been working on that play for an entire year.

Talk about pouring salt on the wound.