Yeah.... That isn't true at all.
Lynch had a big gain on first down and probably would have scored then if Okung finished his block
The int was an awful call for many reasons and is pretty much all the Bevell faults rolled into one play.
He sees a play that is a good call on paper for clock, spot on the field and defense (man cover). A quick pick play on an inside slant could work, if you have the group to do it.
First you are going against your power back who just had a good carry against a defense at the very end of their season. You take all possibility of even bluffing the ball to him away.
Wilson throwing a quick slant in the middle - this isn't a play they run. This is the weakest part of his game. Much better when he can draw defensive attention to force open a passing lane.
The target? Ricardo Lockette. Special teams ace, big play receiver that had his best success taking the top off on outside routes. He had a drop/trip thing over the middle earlier in that would have been a big gain. The guy is an athlete, not a route technician. Expecting him to be perfect in that situation is unreasonable.
The whole outcome hinged on Kearse creating the mess for the rub. Kearse can do that. Only problem is the Patriots put Browner on him. On the lynch first down run, Browner locked up Kearse and eliminated him. Browner was in Seattle. They knew how strong he is. They know on the goal line he looks to eliminate the receiver at the snap. He doesn't have to worry about the space behind him, he can be full aggression.
Chris Matthews was a surprising target in the first half because of his size. The pats adjusted by putting Browner on him. The large WR who scored an earlier TD, that would have drawn over Browned wasnt on the field.
So Wilson struggled placing a pass he doesn't throw, to a seldom used receiver that is a deep threat in the congestion out the goal line where the defender wasn't picked because the Seahawks WR couldn't push of the line against the large, strong DB that used to eliminate WRs in that situation while playing in Seattle and who one play earlier just destroyed Kearse.
In a textbook simulation the play looks very reasonable..... When you put people into the play and account for individual strengths and weaknesses it's horribly stupid.
That is Bevell. He's a smart coach on paper. This play goes against that look so that is what I'm doing regardless if the players can actually accomplish the play