“We’re pretty programmed around here,” Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney has said.

It’s entirely fitting that the growing daylight the Colts have opened on the Patriots became obvious this year in their Week 10 showdown that Indianapolis won, given the way the two organizations have measured themselves against each other this decade. Belichick made the mind-blowing decision to go for a first down against the Colts on fourth-and-2 at his own 28-yard line with the Pats clinging to six-point lead with just 2:08 to play.

You probably remember the rest: New England failed. Manning burned them for the winning TD. The Colts defense spoke afterward about making Belichick’s show of disrespect backfire, but the Patriots defense should’ve felt doubly hacked off: Belichick not only revealed no faith in their ability to stop the Colts from driving nearly the length of the field if the Pats had punted instead — Belichick also gave Manning the ball just 28 yards from the end zone instead, which created an astronomically higher chance they’d fail.

Don’t try following Belichick’s logic. You can’t.

Video   Belichick defends decision Nov. 15: Bill Belichick says the Patriots were going for the win when they gambled on fourth-and-two and doesn't know how they didn't gain the necessary yardage.

The Pats staggered off beaten and disgusted. Now, it’s fair to wonder if that one thwarted show of ego by Belichick paved the way for the image hits, woofing from subsequent opponents, and unheard of, in-house bickering that Belichick has endured since. The Patriots have lost three of five. And with Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Mike Vrabel and front-office whiz Scott Pioli all gone from the Patriots, the culture of the team hasn’t just changed. You have to wonder if it’s broken, and if the spell Belichick once cast, the fear and respect he once commanded has been snapped.

This much is sure: Next to all that, it looks like a love fest in Indy.

New England and nearly everyone else has some catching up to do to.

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