Christian Barmore criticizes ‘real frustrating’ non-call on final play of Patriots-Colts
"I felt like somebody was holding my leg."
Quarterback Anthony Richardson fell forward and rolled over Christian Barmore when he crossed into the end zone on the Colts’ game-winning 2-point conversion against the Patriots on Sunday afternoon.
After the game, Barmore voiced his frustration with what he believes was a missed call on the play.
“Felt like I had good position,” Barmore said, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I felt like someone was holding my leg. Quenton Nelson is a good player and he came and got me, but I felt like somebody was holding my leg. Real frustrating.”
A video posted by the Colts appears to show Indianapolis offensive tackle Matt Goncalves grabbing Barmore from behind as Nelson charged forward and blocked Barmore from the front.
Barmore appeared to use a swim move to get past Goncalves at the line of scrimmage. He was heading into the backfield when a stumbling Goncalves grabbed Barmore and pulled him down. There was no flag on the play.
Richardson rumbled up the middle for the go-ahead score. He ran right behind Nelson and stumbled over Barmore at the goal line. The play put the Colts up by one with just seconds left on the clock.
“It was a two-way option on that. I know Shane (Steichen) called that play for a certain reason,” Richardson said. “I was reading the outside guys on it, but once I looked in the middle, I just decided I was going to take it and put it in my hands and try to make a decision right there and try to make it work. We made it happen.”
The Patriots got the ball back with 12 seconds remaining and advanced the ball to midfield. Joey Slye missed a 68-yard field-goal attempt which fell just short of the crossbar. It would have broken the NFL record for longest made field-goal.
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said it was “100 percent” his decision to go for the field-goal instead of a Hail Mary.
“Look, [Joey] Slye was hitting it well in pregame, and I felt that that was the best thing to do to help our team win the football game,” Mayo said. “Not sure what the numbers are on Hail Marys versus the field goal there, but that’s what I felt was right.”
The loss drops the Patriots to 3-10 and extends New England’s losing streak to three. The Patriots, who will have their bye week next week, have the second-worst record in the NFL. The Jaguars, Raiders, and Giants are all tied at 2-10.
“It really just boils down to that 2-point conversion,” Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said, per NBC Sports Boston. “I just knew [the Colts] were going to go for it because they’re fighting for the last spot in the playoffs. If we just get that stop we basically say, ‘F— you’ to them. But obviously they punched it in.”
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