The choices Carolina coach Matt Rhule makes are different. And because of the strategy play, he tried Saturday against the Green Bay Packers, Panthers’ bettors rejoiced.
The betting line heading into the NFC contest saw Green Bay minus 8.5 points. That meant the Packers had to win by more than that to cover.
They were leading 24-13 with slightly more than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter when Carolina’s Teddy Bridgewater found Curtis Samuel for a play that turned into a 40-yard gain.
With a first down at the Green Bay 15, Rhule sent in kicker Joey Slye, who was true on a 33-yard field goal to make it 24-16
That’s an eight-point difference and it is true it gave the Panthers a chance to tie the game if they could get another possession, score a TD, and 2-point conversion.
The field goal went through with 2:04 left and Carolina had one timeout. Rhule’s strategy was to use the 2:00 warning and the timeout to work the clock in the Panthers’ favor.
Carolina did get the ball back with 55 seconds left but was unable to capitalize. However, those who backed the Panthers are grateful for Rhule’s creative thinking.
