Why a Missed Two‑Point Try Cost the Patriots More Than One Point

The New England Patriots entered Super Bowl LX with a comfortable lead, but the game quickly turned into a long‑distance chase for the trailing side. In the fourth quarter, when the Patriots scored their first touchdown of the game and pulled ahead to 19‑6, head coach Mike Vrabel opted for a conventional extra point instead of a two‑point conversion. That choice is now being called out as a costly misstep.

On the field, the Patriots’ special‑teams unit lined up for the kick. Commentator Mike Tirico pointed out that a two‑point attempt would have nudged the score to 19‑8, an 11‑point gap. With that margin, a touchdown followed by another two‑point play and a field goal would have tied the game. Instead, the team settled for one point, leaving the score at 19‑7.

The difference between an 11‑point and a 12‑point deficit matters. An 11‑point shortfall still allows the opposition to aim for a field goal and keep the possibility of tying alive with a touchdown plus conversion. A 12‑point gap forces the chasing team to score two touchdowns, which is a much steeper climb in the final quarter.

Despite being named the NFL’s 2025 Coach of the Year, Vrabel has not publicly explained why he chose to kick. The decision seems simple on paper but carries strategic weight that many fans and analysts are now questioning.