If a team has a big lead and the win is guaranteed, it’s considered good sportsmanship to go easy and not heap unnecessary points on the scoreboard or risk injuring your players by running aggressive plays. Granted, that situation has more to do with helping your opponent save face by not rubbing salt in the wound caused by the lopsided score, but it’s a similar situation nonetheless.

Personally, I think an eater should still push hard, but hold back a little bit if the win is locked down. That strategy makes even more sense when you realize what’s on the line in some contests. Sometimes it’s thousands of dollars or, in this case, a priceless trip to Coney Island.