Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

With the Patriots leading 33-0 in the fourth quarter on Monday night, they took a delay of game penalty with their punt team on the field. After the Jets declined the penalty, the clock started again, and the Patriots’ punt team waited until they were about to get another delay of game, then false started. The Jets declined the false start penalty, too, the clock started again, and then the Patriots finally punted.

When the Patriots’ third-down play ended, 11:05 remained in the fourth quarter. By the time the Patriots actually punted on fourth down, 9:43 remained. The whole point of the play clock is that teams can’t take more than 40 seconds between plays, but the Patriots, thanks to that running clock after their penalties, took 1 minute, 22 seconds.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was shown on television smirking on the sideline after that series of penalties, and he acknowledged after the game that the penalties allowed him to take plenty of extra time off the clock. He added that league rules probably shouldn’t allow that.

“No, it was just the way the rules are set up. We were able to run quite a bit of time off the clock without really having to do anything. That’s probably a loophole that will be closed and probably should be closed but right now it’s open,” Belichick said.

PFT

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

hate / respect

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

Worst Monday Night Football match up I've seen in a while.

I checked out after half time.

Never bought into the "hype" of Sam Darnold coming out of SC. Then a "redshirt" sophomore, he should have followed his gut instincts and played another year of college ball to perfect his craft.

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

Rules are rules. Was it really necessary. No, but he finds much joy in exploiting weaknesses. Been doing it since he was in high school working for his dad studying college football. It has to be very difficult finding these little gems for him now so that was the smirk.

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

It will be interesting to see how many other teams take advantage this week.

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

Why didn't SP take advantage of that earlier in the year, or even last year in the payoffs against the Lambs, or even the previous year with the Viqueens?

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

He ran his mouth after the loss to Ohio State- was pretty clear he was leaving
Agree, though- he could have used another year

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

People will use this as a new excuse to go on about "the Cheatriots", nevermind that the opposing QB threw 4 INTs, fumbled once and gave up a safety.

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

IMO they set Darnold up to fail. The Jets seem to have tanked to get him, then didn't bother building an o-line around him. To make matters worse, they paired him with a coach who has only accomplished anything by riding the coat tails of Peyton Manning one year. Anyone that has watched Peyton knows he calls all the plays and runs the offense his way. Gase just held a clipboard.

Re: Belichick exploited “loophole” in NFL rules to run extra time off the clock
 

Adam Gase got alot of that Miami team last year though. But I dunno.

Miami won what? 8 games despite having the worse Offense and defense? some bizarre stats.

As for the loop hole, you can betcha this was discussed with officiating prior to the game starting.