Bill Belichick Savagely Reminds Falcons of Old Nightmare on Monday Night Football

A Momentary Lapse in Judgment

In a Monday Night Football matchup that had all the makings of a trap game for the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick showed why he is considered one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. With the Patriots facing a 28-3 deficit in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons, Belichick made a bold decision that would ultimately change the course of the game.

Brady's Redemption

After benching quarterback Mac Jones in favor of veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer, Belichick inserted rookie Bailey Zappe into the game. Zappe, who had never taken an NFL snap before, led the Patriots on a furious comeback, throwing for 185 yards and a touchdown.

The Dagger

With the Patriots trailing by just five points late in the fourth quarter, Belichick called a timeout and dialed up a play that would haunt the Falcons for years to come. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson took a direct snap and plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, giving the Patriots a 35-29 lead with just over two minutes remaining.