The Quest for a complete game

[firstdayfan]

I don't think that we have had a comlete game this season. Each week it seems that some part of our team (or mulitple parts) breaks down and looks terrible. With that said I think that this week it is important for the team to try to find itself and play well for two reasons, 1) We need to get ready for a brutal stretch of games that could be devastating. 2) Despite the outcome of some of their games the Bills are a good football team that almost beat New England in week one and beat a good Jets team last week.

I feel that for a complete game to happen the offense needs to play turnover free football, special teams needs to be solid, and the defense needs to consistently stop the run. So here is a question for everyone, what game to this point was the most complete for this team? And do you think its possible that we can play badly this weekend and still win? Here's a quick look at the first 5 games:

Week 1: L 38-10, Obviously the offense and special teams were horrible but the defense did play well considering the lack of help from other parts of the team. Coaching was terrible and the energy was non existent.

Week 2: L 28-20, The defense was the achilles heel in this game as the offense turned in by far their best performance but the D couldn't stop the Falcons or get off the field on third down. Special teams was bad as well, they had a punt blocked.

Week 3: L 21-7, I really think this game will come back to haunt us later this season. We had the ball with a few minutes to go down only 6 points and then Jake threw a pick 6. Again the defense couldn't stop the run but played well in the redzone, the offense was stagnant and the special teams allowed some big returns.

Week 5: W 20-17, I really think this was our best game of the season and the closest we have come to a complete game. The defense was great and while the offense didn't really dominate they made plays when it counted. The only game to this point in the season when the special teams looked ok.

Week 6: W 28-21, If Jake had played better, the special teams not cold cocked a defenseless returner and allowed a kick return TD then I would say this was the most complete. Without that INT for a TD and the kick return TD this would have been a blowout.

[King Taharqa]

John Fox coached teams dont post many complete games. Usually 1 a year against a league doormat. Last year it was the Chiefs, in 06 it was the Rams. What John Fox coached teams do is excell greatly in one area of the game, while they fail in others. One week its the defense who steps it up, while the O & special teams regresses. The next week the offense is productive, but special teams and D gets lit up. Wash, rinse, recycle, repeat. What this does is keeps games close and allows us to win by the 1 TD/1 FG margin we love to win by. Beating the snot out of teams is poor sportsmanship in Carolina. And putting up a complete team effort might lead to that.

[firstdayfan]

I agree to an extent. I don't necessarily think a complete game means a blowout but that we play smart football and show some passion. I do get what you mean though about keeping the game close and not putting the foot down when we get ahead. I think if we would be a little more aggressive on offense (in a tactful way) then they would be playing much better. I could live with a few picks from Jake if he was throwing for 250 a game, but 75 yards and 2 INT's is ridiculous.

[PantherBrew]

I agree to an extent. I don't necessarily think a complete game means a blowout but that we play smart football and show some passion. I do get what you mean though about keeping the game close and not putting the foot down when we get ahead. I think if we would be a little more aggressive on offense (in a tactful way) then they would be playing much better. I could live with a few picks from Jake if he was throwing for 250 a game, but 75 yards and 2 INT's is ridiculous.

If Jake throws for 250 yards we lose 90% of those games.

Jake needs to throw for 150-175 yards, and no turnovers. This is a perfect game for Jake.

[panthers55]

John Fox coached teams dont post many complete games. Usually 1 a year against a league doormat. Last year it was the Chiefs, in 06 it was the Rams. What John Fox coached teams do is excell greatly in one area of the game, while they fail in others. One week its the defense who steps it up, while the O & special teams regresses. The next week the offense is productive, but special teams and D gets lit up. Wash, rinse, recycle, repeat. What this does is keeps games close and allows us to win by the 1 TD/1 FG margin we love to win by. Beating the snot out of teams is poor sportsmanship in Carolina. And putting up a complete team effort might lead to that.

How did we get to 12-4 last year if we didn't play any complete games. Regardless of the competition which isn't what this is about, we played a number of good games where all phases of the team played well. Does that mean we blew them out or they didn't score points? Of course not. But the opposition came to play as well.

Off the top of my head, San Diego, Atlanta part 1, New Orleans part 1, and Denver were all complete games. Sure the opposition made plays as well but in the end our offense and defense for example came up big when they needed to and our special teams were solid.

You are confusing complete games with blowouts and domination. Sometimes we can play a complete game against a very good opponent and win by a point. Or win by 11 like we did in Oakland and not play well in some phases.

[firstdayfan]

If Jake throws for 250 yards we lose 90% of those games.

Jake needs to throw for 150-175 yards, and no turnovers. This is a perfect game for Jake.

No, you're absolutely right but I was just saying that if this was an offense where he threw for that many TD's then I'd be ok with two INT's. But when a QB in this League attempts 17 passes in a game and throws for only 75 yards then 2 INT's is crazy. I think 17 passes is fine but he needs to cut out the INT's and complete more like 10-12 of those passes.

Listen, I think if Jake comes out this weekend and goes 10-16 for 117 and a TD that it would be a complete game. He just needs to be efficient with the ball and not make that big mistake. The running game might struggle at first but we need to keep pounding it and rack up at least a 150 in order to be successful.

[firstdayfan]

How did we get to 12-4 last year if we didn't play any complete games. Regardless of the competition which isn't what this is about, we played a number of good games where all phases of the team played well. Does that mean we blew them out or they didn't score points? Of course not. But the opposition came to play as well.

Off the top of my head, San Diego, Atlanta part 1, New Orleans part 1, and Denver were all complete games. Sure the opposition made plays as well but in the end our offense and defense for example came up big when they needed to and our special teams were solid.

You are confusing complete games with blowouts and domination. Sometimes we can play a complete game against a very good opponent and win by a point. Or win by 11 like we did in Oakland and not play well in some phases.

:iagree:

Thats exactly what I am talking about. Do you think we have had a complete game to this point in the season? Will it take a complete game to win this Sunday or can we win without it?

[panthers55]

:iagree:

Thats exactly what I am talking about. Do you think we have had a complete game to this point in the season? Will it take a complete game to win this Sunday or can we win without it?

Have we had one yet? No. Will it take one this week? It surely would help. Still, winning is a function of your opponent's performance as well as your own. You can have a complete game and lose if the opposition plays better. On the other hand if they play poorly then you may be able to make mistakes and still win. But to your point. We surely won't be beating teams like New Orleans for example unless we play a nearly flawless game and they stumble somewhat.

[firstdayfan]

One thing about New Orleans, Arizona, and New England that could help us is our running game. These are games that John Fox's "outdated philosophy" actually keeps us in these games (playoff game excluded) and gives us a chance. We run the ball, chew up the clock and play field position against these high scoring teams. Its games against teams like the Giants and Vikings that scare me more because they pretty much do the same thing we do but better. Either way, I agree with you, I think if we play a complete game this weekend then we will win...period. Those other games are going to take an exceptional effort as well as some luck.