Senior writer
Only a few days before his improbable Super Bowl-saving interception, Malcolm Butler struggled in practice defending the exact same play.
Bill Belichick lit into the undrafted rookie cornerback after New England’s scout-team offense beat him all too easily for a 5-yard touchdown.
The play was a rub route that the Patriots noticed the Seattle Seahawks went to again and again in must-have situations near the goal line. One receiver set a pick by driving his defender backward. The other took advantage of the free space by running a slant underneath.