My first impression of that call was definitely WTF is he thinking, but there are a couple of things to consider.
I can't believe that I am going to try and defend Carroll
If Seahawks score right away after picking up 4 yards on first down with 1 full minute to go and the Pats have two time outs...that is way too much time.
Letting the clock run down until about 26 seconds to go is the correct thing to do.
The idea of going with 1 run and 1 pass on 2nd and 3rd down makes sense because they only have 1 time out left.
The pass on 2nd down makes sense as it still gives the run option on 3rd down/then time out if unsuccessful.
The Pats short yardage defense worked well in the game. Lynch was only 1/3 on 3rd down and < 3 yards to go ( touchdown in 2nd qtr).
While my first impression that it was truly the worst call in the history of the NFL, looking at it a little more makes me think it was not as bad as I originally thought...and that it was just a great read by Butler the CB.