Effort

Where was the effort we saw in the 2nd in the 1st? Do we have to be down in order for our guys to start caring about the game?

One word: Cocaine.

That's a product of Pete's "you can only win in the fourth quarter" garbage. These guys showed zero heart in the first half and this was the result

On offense just look at the play calling, 1st half long routes all of them, 2nd half a mix. Simple the first half of the game they called the offense like the first half of the season, 2nd half of the game like the second half of the season. 1st half wilson is hit on 77% of his drop backs, 2nd half under 30%

It wasn't a heart issue they just played terrible. The offensive line got absolutely destroyed in the first half. They were bad in the second half but bevell finally let Wilson take over.

Had nothing to do with effort, more to do with execution.

Both sides of the ball looked like a 4 win team in the first half.

it seems like whenever we are no huddle we move the chains really well....should we incorporate more no huddle packages next year?

We've seen it too many times. The difference is lady luck bailed us out in the NFCCG last year.

Call it an excuse, but I'm 100% sure 10 am stays are a difference maker. It wasnt a matter if effort, it was a matter of execution.

Time zone changes ARE a difference maker ("Science!"). The NFL won't change. I wish the team would travel to the east coast one day earlier to give more time to adjust.

You can't gut your way through everything.

Panthers came to play right out of the gate both on offense and defense, I t
Don't think it was effort as much as preparation, those first plays were scripted and executed perfectly. Then we have a quick turnover and its 14-0. It changed what we needed to do and we got out of ( didn't start) rhythm. Too big a hole and maybe to much confidence to start.

Bad game plan. ML was a huge distraction IMO.

harryjohnson":3ii2ti1u said:

Bad game plan. ML was a huge distraction IMO.

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How was Lynch a distraction...Guys couldn't block period. OC didn't design any quick pass playcalls.

We got killed in the trenches

There is no way I pin this loss on effort. It was a bad game plan showcasing Lynch front and center, and the Panthers knew it.

Throwdown":3oda5453 said:

We got killed in the trenches

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Yep.

This team prides itself on tough, physical play. Our boys needed a bye week -- not consecutive cross-country trips to play in hostile environments. I know they're all (relatively) young, healthy athletes -- but last week's game, in that weather, was BRUTAL. No doubt it drained them and played into how they started the game.

BTW, the high air in Denver, humidity in Miami and wicked winds in Chicago have also been known to negatively affect players. Such is the life of even the best road teams.

I feel like this is a problem in the preparation for these playoff games. These slow starts happen way too often for it to be a coincidence. It's a real trend.

rcaido":1vrrqf7k said:

harryjohnson":1vrrqf7k said:

Bad game plan. ML was a huge distraction IMO.

Click to expand...

How was Lynch a distraction...Guys couldn't block period. OC didn't design any quick pass playcalls.

Click to expand...

They got away from the quick passing game to feed the beast.

harryjohnson":2x44c3ou said:

rcaido":2x44c3ou said:

harryjohnson":2x44c3ou said:

Bad game plan. ML was a huge distraction IMO.

Click to expand...

How was Lynch a distraction...Guys couldn't block period. OC didn't design any quick pass playcalls.

Click to expand...

They got away from the quick passing game to feed the beast.

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Not purely "to feed the Beast"; he had 5 carries total in the first half.

It was more the situation; predictably, IIRC, all 5 were on 1st down.

You can run the ball and still have a quick pass game. The mix of formations, play-calling, and execution was what didn't work, regardless of who the ball carrier was. That and the game quickly getting away.