[Humble_Opinion]

I'm basing that opinion on the situation at the time in that point of the game. Seattle pounded the ball up the middle the whole 1st half. When they ran the ball in the 2nd half, they were picking up yards. Belichick didn't call TO because he had the defense he wanted in the game and he knew Seattle's script inside the redzone. He admitted as much. So, rather than allow Seattle to think about it, he stuck with what he knew and had the defense out there that he wanted. When Butler saw the formation he knew it was going to be a pick play, he just needed to determine what route his man was going to run (fade or slant). When the ball was snapped he saw the receiver step to the inside and at that moment he knew the route was going to be a slant so he jumped it and beat the receiver to the punch. Enough can't be said about Belichick's willingness to let the sequence of events play out and to trust his defense. Credit also must go to Butler... heck of a play for a UFA from a small DII school to make in his rookie year.

As far as Seattle not being in control, I'm not sure what you are talking about. They gained 31 yds on their first play from scrimmage with 2:02 left in the game with a beautiful pass from Russell to Lynch. The had two consecutive incompletions and then gained 11 yds for a 1st down to the NE 38 with 1:31 remaining on the clock... The very next play was the "lucky" jump ball from Kearse. Were there some issues with TO's being called? Perhaps. But, they were moving the ball down the field in a very efficient manner, which is another reason why I believe it made more sense to run the ball on 2nd down instead of throwing it.