NFL Notes: Belichick stands by decision

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Belichick defended his decision to go for it on fourth down as criticism mounted yesterday of the call that led to the New England Patriots' stunning loss.

The coach hailed as one of the NFL's best was a target of columnists, talk-radio callers and two of his former players. Why, they all wondered, did he gamble with a six-point lead and just over two minutes to go against the Indianapolis Colts?

The gamble failed and the Patriots lost 35-34 after leading by 17 points in the fourth quarter Sunday night.

"The same thing I said after the game," Belichick said at his regular Monday news conference. "I thought it was our best chance to win. I thought we needed to make that one play and then we could basically run out the clock."

An average punt would have left Peyton Manning about 60 to 70 yards from the end zone, a long distance but one Manning has traveled before with little time left.

But when the Patriots gained 1 yard on fourth and 2, his task became much easier. Manning got the ball at the New England 29, and four plays later, he threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne with 13 seconds left. Matt Stover's extra point was the winning margin.

Belichick was noncommittal when asked if he would make the same decision again. "You only get one chance," he said.

NBC analyst Rodney Harrison, a safety for Belichick for six years who retired before this season, called it "the worst coaching decision I've ever seen Bill Belichick make."

ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi, who retired this year after 14 seasons as a Patriots linebacker, said, "The decision to go for it would be enough to make my blood boil for weeks. . . . I would look at this decision as a lack of confidence in our ability as a defensive unit to come up with a big play to win the game."

The loss dropped the Patriots to 6-3, three games behind the unbeaten Colts, and hurt their hopes for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs and for avoiding a game in the first round.

Adams fined $250,000 for obscene gesture

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL has fined Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for making an obscene gesture at Buffalo fans while celebrating Tennessee's victory over the Bills.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said the fine was for conduct detrimental to the NFL. Adams was seen making the gesture while in his luxury suite and again on the field after Sunday's 41-17 victory.

Adams, 86, issued an apology a couple of hours later, saying he got caught up in the excitement of the moment.

Commissioner Roger Goodell was at the game, after having breakfast with Adams. The league said that Goodell left Adams' suite at the end of the third quarter and spent the fourth quarter sitting with fans in the end zone before leaving the stadium.

Westbrook's chances for return uncertain

PHILADELPHIA -- Brian Westbrook's status is uncertain after the Eagles' star running back sustained another concussion in Philadelphia's 31-23 loss at San Diego.

Westbrook was playing his first game after sitting out two because of a concussion suffered Oct. 26. He was injured in the third quarter Sunday on a screen play in which he was caught between a block by Eagles receiver Jason Avant and Chargers safety Eric Weddle.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said it's too early to tell when Westbrook will return, if at all.

Hamlin out 3-4 weeks

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys will be without safety Ken Hamlin three to four weeks and offensive tackle Marc Columbo longer than that. Hamlin sprained an ankle and Columbo broke his left leg and sustained ankle ligament damage in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Elsewhere

• New Orleans coach Sean Payton said starting cornerback Tracy Porter has sprained his left knee and could return this season. Porter injured his left knee in a collision with Saints safety Usama Young during New Orleans' victory in St. Louis on Sunday.

• Larry Johnson might get to revive his troubled career with a team known for giving second chances. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Johnson would be in Cincinnati to discuss a limited role -- fourth-string running back, essentially an insurance policy in case Cedric Benson's hip injury gets worse or another running back gets hurt.

• Ronnie Brown, Miami's leading rusher, remained on crutches 24 hours after hurting his right foot during the Dolphins' 25-23 win over Tampa Bay. He's unlikely to play Thursday at Charlotte and could be sidelined longer.

• St. Louis has lost leading wide receiver Keenan Burton for the rest of the season, the result of a right knee injury on Sunday. The Rams placed Burton on injured reserve with a torn patella tendon.

• Seahawks running back Julius Jones is likely to miss at least Sunday's game at Minnesota because of a bruised lung suffered in Seattle's loss to Arizona on Sunday.

• Carolina left tackle Jordan Gross was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery on his broken right ankle Sunday night. The team's best pass protector was hurt when an Atlanta player rolled into his leg late in the second quarter of the Panthers' 28-19 win Sunday.