Coin toss: Electing to receive the ball in the 2nd half

[Hotsauce]

I love that we are doing this, this year consistently. This allows us to put the #2 NFL defense on the field first, make a defensive stop, and give the ball to Cam. I think this sets a great tone for the rest of the game.

It also has helped create our stat of zero first half points (aside from the Atlanta game) this season. Also, Carolina leads the NFL in ball control. This means that we go up early, hold the opponent to zero, then when the second half starts, we get the ball have have the opportunity to put more points on the board.

When a team starts a second half with zero points, they have to take higher risks (I.e. Not running the ball and passing more).

[RoaringRiot]

Wasn't it zero in the first quarter?

[MichaelNewtonII]

Yeah I like it too. Trust our d to set the tone early and the offense will come later.

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[Hotsauce]

Wasn't it zero in the first quarter?

I thought it was first half....but either way, still an impressive stat

[panthers55]

Actually giving the ball to their offense first, which likely means they get more first half possessions, would increase the chance we give up more first quarter or first half points.  If we got the ball first and took significant time off the clock and then if we held them on their first possession, we would have 2 possessions to their one which would increase the chances of them not scoring particularly in the first quarter.  The way it is, we are giving them multiple chances to score early which makes the fact we give up so few points even more significant.

[DecrypticShadow]

I love that we chose to defer when we win the coin toss.. As OP stated, it allows our defensive to set the tone and get a stop. The only way I could see a team wanting to receive the ball to begin the game would be if they had ultimate confidence that their offense could dominate possession of the ball for the entire game. 

 

Finally CRT Ron and company have realized our offense is motivated by the great play of our defense. Those men are the backbone of this team. When the offense figs up and goes 3 and out, our defense is there grinding and holding the opposing offense to almost nothing. 

[rainwater]

The reason its happening this year is because we are winning some coin tosses. Last year we had an incredible streak of losing coin tosses. Most teams will defer to the second half.

[Cary Kollins]

I've always preferred to defer in order to have the chance to manipulate the clock at the end of the first half and go for back to back touchdown scores. Scoring a touchdown and then getting the ball right back after halftime can be a game breaker.

[PantherWake]

Man the difference in 5 weeks....amazing

[panthers55]

The strategy works only if you get a stop right away.  If we defer and give up 2 Tds on the first 2 drives I suspect the sentiment would change in a heartbeat.

[SpeedOFLight]

Speaking of coin tosses, what was our losing streak for losing the toss? It was sad but can't remember what it was.

[rainwater]

The strategy works only if you get a stop right away.  If we defer and give up 2 Tds on the first 2 drives I suspect the sentiment would change in a heartbeat.

 

I doubt it.  It is the same strategy used by most teams at all levels.  There are some coaches who prefer the ball first but not as many who rather defer if given the option.

[teeray]

You should always defer IMO. Glad we are finally doing it.

[0115]

Speaking of coin tosses, what was our losing streak for losing the toss? It was sad but can't remember what it was.

 

We won the coin toss when we smacked the falcons the 2nd time.