DURHAM -- Duke coach David Cutcliffe put in his two cents' worth regarding New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's much-criticized decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line late in Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Patriots came up just short, and quarterback Peyton Manning -- who played at Tennessee when Cutcliffe was offensive coordinator -- led the Colts to a 35-34 victory in the final seconds.

"It's the ultimate compliment to Peyton Manning," Cutcliffe said. "I think the decision to go for it from a percentage standpoint was right. He's got an NFL average of over 50 percent going for him to make the first down -- which arguably they did. If he punts it back, he figured Peyton Manning in his career is over 50 percent taking teams down the field in that situation to score a touchdown.

"So with 2:08 left, if he punts it away and Peyton does take it down, then likely the clock is gone and Indianapolis scores and wins. If he gives them the short field [and the Colts score], then we reverse the odds. You've got Tom Brady with the ball needing a field goal to win the game."

The Colts, however, still managed to use nearly the entire clock, scoring with just 13 seconds left.

"I would have probably punted," Cutcliffe said. "When you're in the position he's in, you can probably do whatever you want."

-- BRYAN STRICKLAND