Q: Why didn’t Todd Bowles decline the offensive pass interference on third down on the Patriots’ first TD drive?
A: Bowles played the percentages, and it backfired. If he accepted the penalty, it would have put the Patriots in a fourth-and-2 situation at the Jets’ 24-yard line. Bill Belichick could have decided to go for it or kick the field goal. But he was never given the option because Bowles believes Belichick would go for it.
Bowles accepted the penalty, making it third-and-12 from the Jets’ 34. Tom Brady found Rob Gronkowski for the game-tying 34-yard touchdown.