Worst Play in NFL History: Internet Reacts to Colts' Bizarre Trick Play

Kevin Aherne

I'm still trying to figure this one out.

With just over one minute remaining in the third quarter of Sunday night's NFL prime-time NFL game between  Indianapolis and New England, the Colts -- facing 4th and 3 -- made quite the strange play call.  

They came out of the huddle, and quickly shifted from punt formation to, well, um... I don't know what to call it. They had a punter 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage (but near the sideline), a center who was actually the left gunner, a quarterback under said "center" who was actually the right gunner, and eight special teamers in punt block formation (except outside the numbers). Not only was that a mouthful to describe, it was nearly impossible to comprehend. 

It seemed to everyone (including the Patriots) that this was a play built for the purposes of confusing New England, forcing them to waste a precious timeout.  But that theory was squashed when the "center" snapped the ball, causing the "quarterback" to be promptly sacked. To top it all, The Colts were penalized on the play for using an illegal formation, as there were five too few offensive players on the line of scrimmage. 

Well, today, the internet exploded -- in the form of memes and tweets -- directed at Colts coach Chuck Pagano, as the world tries to make sense of what had happened.

See the best internet responses below

Colts Name Creepy Rob Lowe as New Play Caller

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I Think I'll Move to Australia

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The TECMO Treatment (Video)

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I Un-Punt You

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A (Non) Think Piece?

@PaganoShow @Colts @1070thefan would you consider that fake punt a bad football play or good performance art?

— Steve Silver (@SteveTSRA) October 19, 2015

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Fourth and 3 Stooges

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Blame it on Sick Children

@PaganoShow @Colts @1070thefan Coach, can you tell us what child won the "you get to call a play" contest on that fake punt?

— Jon Easter (@johnnystir) October 19, 2015

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A Bold Strategy

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With Special Thanks to Pete Carroll

@PaganoShow @Colts @1070thefan Coach Pagano, at any point did you consider handing the ball off to Marshawn Lynch?

— Torrance McClellan (@TorranceMcClell) October 19, 2015

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Playground Rules

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Fin.

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Okay, One More!