I started a similar thread months ago, wondering "how did the Patriots know??!!" (that play was coming), asking how we could rule out the "stealing signals" aspect, what the logistics would have to be for the Patriots to intercept the call (signals or electronics) and relay it to players on the field, who then have to implement the covert intelligence in real time.
Mostly, .NETters called called me a conspiracy theorist, told me to get over it, etc. I asked people to humor me and supply *Football answers*, and several did.
Out of all that, to me, it came out that Browner was the key to that play. Browner was the one who recognized it, based on the formation and on Seattle tendencies, which he would well know, having practiced for years vs. that offense and Bevell. Browner somehow then communicated to Butler what was coming, for him to know to jump the slant. Browner then uttterly defeated Kearse's pick attempt, leaving a clear path for Butler to jump the route. Also, only Browner, out of nearly all CB's in the NFL, was physical enough to do that to Kearse.
Wilson did throw the ball in a place that allowed the pick to occur, but it wasn't really off-target. In the other examples of this play, vs. the Rams (Tate TD) and Saints (Miller TD), Wilson throws the ball in a similar place, within a foot or two. In this example, the throw was about a foot, foot-and-a-half out front of Lockette, and shoulder-high. It's hard to fault the throw that much; all 3 throws were roughly similar, within a normal variance range. The difference was, no defender jumped the route on the other 2 plays, no defender was within 2 yards when the ball arrived.
The most similar play was the Golden Tate TD vs. the Rams, where the Rams defended it well, and Tate barely got the ball over the goal line.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-high ... -touchdown
This was one time Wilson *was* "TOO SHORT" and couldn't see Butler lurking behind the clump of players, otherwise he throws a different ball. However, that's on Bevell, for choosing this play in this crowded situation, instead of a play that uses Wilson's mobility and decision-making.
Even if the Patriots "did" somehow steal signals, getting the intel onto the field and implemented by the right players, as to what to do about it, and then having their players execute, would still be pretty remarkable. I choose to go with the "Browner-diagnosed-it" explanation, plus Bevell's predictability, as the most likely explanation of how the Patriots knew this was coming.