SO why didn't we kick the field goal?

[KillerKat]

At the time, i thought they should've gone for the field goal. I still feel that way. We had 2 timeouts plus the 2 minute warning. Then the defense wouldve given us the ball back and we would've had more time on the clock. Fox is a moron.

[Sam Mills Fan]

This thread sucks. Either way, you're still looking at a touchdown deficit. And with the way our defense was looking up until that point, Fox absolutely made the right decision to go for it.

[pstall]

Get the 3. Now that alters Atlanta's game plan next time they get it. Knowing you have to give up 8 can help you relax on offense and defense.

But only up 5 the pressure is on.

Timely penalties did us again.

[panthers55]

It would have been stupid to go for 3. It isn't like we stopped them all the second half or didn't let them take out a kickoff to at least the 40.

What is stupid is that week after week this site runs incredibly slow and no one does anything about it even with pared down functions on game day.

[goodlay]

Regardless in hindsight it doesn't even matter seeing we didn't score. I think it was a good call by Fox, seeing our defense had played poorly the first 3.5 quarters.

[SCpanther]

We still would've had to get a TD anyway but yeah, they probably should've kicked the FG. The big question for me is why they passed 4 times in a row once they got down near the goal line. Stewart had just gotten a 10 yard gain on a run.

[DangerClose]

Are you serious? Even if we kick the field goal you would still end up in a haily mary situation. If we did kick the field goal you'd probably be pissed that we didn't go for it. Our 3rd down defense is to blame for today's loss.

yes, defense let us down today and special teams too. thought the call to go for it was a good one.

[ladypanther]

With the time left...should have kicked the FG. Fox has never been a good game manager.

[grateflday]

We still would have needed a TD, our D never proved they could stop them in a short amount of time.

I agree with the call to go for it

I agree with the we still needed a TD anyway. By going for it you give your offense two chances at a TD. What bugged me about that drive is on 3rd down you already know you are going for it on 4th so why not try to pick up so yards on a short pass so its not a 4th and 10.

[carolinashawn]

Seriously. Timeouts left. Almost 3:00 the clock. Down 8. 4th and 10?

Easy decision, kick the field goal.

f**king stupid coaching.

our d hadn't stopped them consistently all day long. What makes you think it would have been any different?

[Davidson Deac II]

Honestly, its a difficult decision. Which is harder, converting 4th and 10, or relying on a suspect defense to stop Atlanta?

Can't really fault the coach for the choice he made in that instance.

We lost the game in several areas though, and the number one area was our complete inability to stop the pass. Ryan shredded us with ease.

[ladypanther]

Take the sure 3 (don't have to worry later about a 2 point conversion to tie...a tie not good on the road). The Falcons would be ahead, so would not be too aggressive on O. Better chance for our D to stop them then if we scored...they would have marched down the field with the time left. Strategy says...better off with the 3.

[tarheelpride]

I would have kicked the field goal. Why?

1) We would need a stop anyway to get the ball back to win it

2) I would not want to rely on a 2-point conversion, which we may or may not have gotten

3) We had plenty of time on the clock for a defensive stop with the 2-minute warning and 3 timeouts

4) The last possession, with a stop, would have been for the win, not a tie

I realize had we kicked it and lost by 5, everyone would be mad that Fox went conservative. But, that's hindsight for you. Yeah, the defense was horrible today, but they still would need a stop for us to get the ball back to have a chance. That's a risk that needed to be taken.

[PanthersAlv]

Why didn't we fake the feildgoal and let Baker pass it to the flat for a TD?

LOL