FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots could blame their loss to the Indianapolis Colts on any number of individuals, plays or moments.
New England fumbled away yet another victory at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, allowing a touchdown lead to dissipate in the final minute to remain in the loss column for a third consecutive week. Indianapolis scored within the final minute, before converting on a two-point conversion attempt to steal a victory it had no part in stealing.
Can we blame any one person in particular, though?
It’s safe to say there are multiple parties involved, but kicker Joey Slye made sure to throw his hat in the ring postgame.
“I’ve gotta take full responsibility for this,” Slye said. “We had a short field goal at the end of the half, and I have to make that… I have to be better, because the team counts on me in those situations and every point for this team matters with how we play complimentary football.”
Slye, who finished 3-for-5 on the afternoon, has been steady throughout the regular season, but saw one easy miss come back to bite him Sunday.
The Patriots lined up for a 25-yard field goal just before halftime to try to extend their lead, but Slye hooked it. The Colts, of course, would go on to take a late lead in the fourth quarter, which might not have been possible if the 28-year-old had just taken care of business earlier on.
“We left three points off the board early in the game, and then, obviously, I shouldn’t be having to kick a 68-yarder to win it. We should have had the game in the bag, so I take responsibility and we have to move on.”
Slye’s second miss was more excusable, as it came on a 68-yard attempt that would have set a new NFL record.
“I’ve hit from that distance before,” Slye said. “… I’ve never made it in freezing temperatures, but pregame I hit from 62 (yards) the other way and 61 (yards) that way. I knew I had a strong enough leg, I was just hoping the fans would blow at the same time to help it get through the uprights.”
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo defended the decision to attempt that kick later on, which honestly wasn’t a half bad try, but it probably never should have gotten to that point.
