Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of this era. Arguably, the best of all-time. Even last night’s loss doesn’t change that fact. But what Sunday proved is that even Belichick, the GOAT, isn’t above screwing it all up.
You could make an unusually long list for him. It starts with his curious usage of cornerback Malcolm Butler, who hadn’t enjoyed as good a year as in the past but was a fixture on that Patriots’ defense. Last night, he played zero snaps defensively, Belichick deferring to Eric Rowe, who was torched repeatedly.