Do the Panthers play to lose?

[Sheldon Wolowizard]

Let the flaming begin. I'll even stack the wood for the fire.

I have been a panther fan since the beginning. I love football. What I have noticed is that the Panthers and many other teams don't crush the opposing team when they have the opportunity. I do understand that this is a game, but I fail to see why when an opponent is down by let's say 14 with 10 to go in the 4th, teams ease off and don't finish the job.

With 40 seconds left in the 1st half, we were content to go into the locker room. Why? Why not hurry up offense and try to score instead of just going into the locker room content? If we had tried to score and made a field goal at the end of the second, how would that have changed the game? I know it's a what if, but still. Why not try to add more points?

Why let your opponent breathe at all? Crush them completely. I have no problem winning by 30 or more every week. Look at what happened last year in NE. They crushed everyone. Going into the SB, no one gave the Giants a chance, including me. But when you look back at that season, you knew the Pats weren't going to let up, ever. And I don't think any team ever should.

I look at things probably a bit different than most. It's either win or lose, there are no ties. Yes I know you can have a tie, unlike McNabb. But this is a game where there has to be a victor. Never let up on your opponent, never let them breathe, crush the life out of them.

Anyone else think that the Panthers and other teams do the same?

[panthersphan]

We didn't play to lose...

...but in the 2nd half, it looked like we weren't playing to win (play calls)

[DeAngelo Stewart]

Never settle for anything you believe in. I guess Fox settled, and it may of well cost us the game.

[stankowalski]

I hated the way we finished in the first half. We played conservative and didn't try to get into scoring position. I'm not talking about the last drive, but the one before that. We had plenty of time left in the half and were content to run and punt. That's the way Fox likes to play, and it burns me up almost every time. But what can you do? He's been mostly successful with that formula. I'm not convinced we can get to the Superbowl playing that way though.

[dksmith17]

Isn't it time Fox deserves not to be questioned for every move? We had a FG attempt for the win with a kicker that has missed one kick all year. We were playing for the win, stop overreacting.

[Delhommey]

I hated the way we finished in the first half. We played conservative and didn't try to get into scoring position. I'm not talking about the last drive, but the one before that. We had plenty of time left in the half and were content to run and punt. That's the way Fox likes to play, and it burns me up almost every time. But what can you do? He's been mostly successful with that formula. I'm not convinced we can get to the Superbowl playing that way though.

If we had only gone for it like we did in Minnesota!

[bredy087]

We were conservatively playing for the win.....which we always do when we are winning. Gotta admit though we need to go for the throat once in a while.

[stankowalski]

If we had only gone for it like we did in Minnesota!

Valid point, but you can't play scared. Overall I'm disappointed with the results of last nights game, but we did have our chances. If someone would have told me that the Giants would have rushed for 300+ yards and we would have an opportunity to win the game at the end, I'd have thought they were out of their mind.

[Sheldon Wolowizard]

Isn't it time Fox deserves not to be questioned for every move? We had a FG attempt for the win with a kicker that has missed one kick all year. We were playing for the win, stop overreacting.

I wasn't talking about just Fox. This has been a trend far longer than Foxxy has been in town.

[Sheldon Wolowizard]

We didn't play to lose...

...but in the 2nd half, it looked like we weren't playing to win (play calls)

If you're not playing to win, then are you playing to lose?

Not meant to be an argumentative statement to what you posted, just something to think about in general.

[bdwork]

Doesn't even make sense.

[dksmith17]

I wasn't talking about just Fox. This has been a trend far longer than Foxxy has been in town.

Im not sure if you watched post game interviews. But Jake was asked a question similar to yours. Whether the team had quit because they clinched a playoff birth or not. Jake said that he didn't want to play on a team with anyone that had that train of thought. Put the koolaid down please.

[Jangler]

According to Coach Fox, being in the playoffs is good enough. So be happy, mission accomplished.

[megadeth078]

21 points in the first half

7 points in the second

yep, played not to lose