[Zebra_Fact_Man]

My thought as brief as possible:

If you heavily restrict defensive play as 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2008 did, you absolutely need an end game, as there is no feasible way for the loosing alliance to catch up baring a series of mistakes/misses by the winning alliance.

But if you allow scoring defense like 2014, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, and 2005, you really don't NEED an endgame to catchup or keep it interesting, and in some instances, it can become rather distracting. Simply a well-placed tube or well-timed block can make all the difference.

Solid, clean defensive play is not only what wins championships, but it's naturally what keeps contact sports (robots) exciting. Can the offense overcome the other team's defense in the clutch?