Why Patriots’ Jerod Mayo Didn’t Challenge Crunch-Time Catch By Colts

FOXBORO, Mass. — Jerod Mayo wasn’t afraid to throw the challenge flag against the Indianapolis Colts, but the New England Patriots head coach opted against such decision in crunch time.

Facing a third-and-10 with four minutes remaining, Colts tight end Will Mallory caught a 7-yard pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson. It appeared the nose of the football hit the turf and went incomplete, but it was ruled a completion on the field. Mayo didn’t throw the challenge flag.

“We were waiting to see the replay,” Mayo said after the 25-24 loss at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. “Never really got a clear shot of it, so I didn’t challenge it.”

Richardson then connected with Mo Alie-Cox on fourth-and-3 and granted the Colts a fresh set of downs. Patriots defenders pointed out how the Colts had multiple fourth-and-short situations on their game-winning drive. Should Mayo have challenged the ruling and ultimately won, a fourth-and-10 would have put Richardson and the visitors in a much different spot.

It was among a handful of questionable late-game decisions by Mayo. The first-year head coach defended not using a timeout before Indy’s game-winning two-point decision and his decision to attempt a 68-yard field goal rather than a Drake Maye Hail Mary.