The Patriots weren't fooled. With nowhere to go and three players to beat, Anderson got tackled immediately, but making matters worse, the Colts were penalised for an illegal formation because not enough players on the right side were at the line of scrimmage.
Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who took the blame for the play's failure, was seen mouthing "Why did you snap it?" to Whalen, hinting that the bizarre play was merely an attempt to get the Patriots to jump offside and commit a penalty which would give the Colts a new set of downs.
New England declined the penalty and Tom Brady took the Patriots in for a touchdown on the ensuing short drive for a 34-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, from which they held on to take a 34-27 win and remain unbeaten through week six of the NFL season.