Colts Trick Play or Michigan Botched Punt: Which Was Worse?
This weekend we saw what may have been the strangest ending to a college football game and the worst play in NFL history.
First, Michigan Wolverine fans were stunned when they thought they had the game all but finished as their punt team went out to pin the Spartans 80 yards down the field. Michigan’s punter Blake O’Neill fumbled the snap and Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson recovers it for a 38-yard touchdown to win the game.
During prime time on Sunday Night Football, the Indianapolis Colts called a play that was designed to confuse the New England Patriots and either have them caught offsides or in an illegal formation. As the play clock his zero, Griffen Whalen snapped the ball to Colt Anderson, who was immediately tackled by a swarm of Patriots. The result was short yardage for the Patriots, who went on to score and win by seven points.
Both were plays that we’d never seen before, and hopefully never again. The NFL Mocks staff debated which was worse: the Michigan muffed snap to lose the game or the Colt’s trick play that ended up tricking themselves.
Joe Wedra: Michigan play. If they win that game, they’re in serious contention for the National Title. Now, merely an outsider. The Colts made a communication error — Wolverines collapsed.
Erik Lambert: Special teams by Colts. That was a gaffe all around from the coaching down to the execution. The Michigan play was a muffed snap that caught the punter panicking and MSU caught a lucky bounce.
Jonah Tuls: Simple as this, one play ended a season. Obviously, I’m talking about the Michigan play. Of course the Colts special teams error was inexcusable, but it is still week 6, while for Michigan, their college football playoff hopes are deep sixed. This is not even close.
Matthew Holowiak: Easy call, Michigan. Special teams miscommunications happen, and at this point in the season it was not the end of the world for the Colts. However, that play pretty much ended the final goal for that team and the entire Michigan fan base as well. As Jonah said, not even close.
Sayre Bedinger: Easily the Michigan play was ‘worse’ although the Colts special teams play was dumber. The Michigan kid reacted. It looked like the Colts drew that one up and thought it might actually work? It was one of the dumbest things I’ve seen in my life. However, the Michigan play was way worse.
Rodney Stokes: Poor execution made the special teams call from Michigan worse. However running that play in practice and knowing it should work in the game makes it a logical call. The same can’t be said for the Colts
As you can see, the majority of our staff believe the Michigan play was worse than the Colt’s “special” teams attempt of a trick play. What do you think? Which play was worse?