GLENDALE, Ariz. — Because they didn't go into Beast Mode, the Seattle Seahawks found themselves in Spin Mode.
They were left to explain why they turned Marshawn Lynch — the running back known as "The Beast" — into a decoy with the game on the line and chose instead to pass the ball on second-and-goal from the 1.
Malcolm Butler intercepted that pass with 20 seconds left to preserve New England's 28-24 Super Bowl victory.
Within moments, the second-guessing had begun on what will surely be one of the most debated calls in NFL history.
"I made the decision. I said, 'Throw the ball,'" coach Pete Carroll said. "Nobody to blame but me."
But there was plenty of blame to go around. It started with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who may have gotten too cute and, as a result, found his name was a top trender on Twitter.
And the receiver, Ricardo Lockette, who Bevell said, "could have done a better job staying strong on the ball."
Quarterback Russell Wilson wishes he had that pass back.