Ron Rivera can get revenge, validation with Washington Football Team win vs. Panthers
Ron Rivera can earn revenge and earn validation with a Washington Football Team win over the Panthers.
The Washington Football Team is about to play their most important game of the season. They are going to be taking on the Carolina Panthers with a chance to win the NFC East or set up a chance for them to clinch the division in Week 17.
That said, as important as this game is now, it was always one that was circled on Washington’s calendar.
This game against the Panthers is a chance for Ron Rivera to earn revenge against his former team. Now, it’s true that Rivera had a fruitful nine years with the Panthers and loved his time with the team.
More from Riggo's Rag
- Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
- 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
- 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
- Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell
- Bet365 VA Bonus Code – Claim $200 Guaranteed With Sign-Up Bonus
That said, Rivera was still fired by the team last year and they chose to do so midseason despite him doing a relatively solid job with the squad in the wake of an injury to Cam Newton. That wouldn’t sit well with anyone in a sport and league as competitive as the NFL, so Rivera has to hold some sort of grudge, even if it’s a small one, against his former franchise.
Now, Rivera can exact his revenge by showing the Panthers just what they’re missing. The Panthers are sitting at 4-10 and are on a crash course with a top-five draft pick in their first year under Matt Rhule. Meanwhile, Washington, 6-8, has rebounded from a very slow start to become the NFC East leader with a legitimate chance at the playoffs.
If Washington can beat the Panthers soundly and either clinch the division or put themselves in position to clinch it in Week 17 and guarantee themselves a better record than the Panthers, that would be a win for Rivera. He would earn revenge over Carolina and be able to bury the hatchet, and he would earn validation that his plan to reshape the culture in Washington is working.
Rivera has already earned a lot of respect for what he has done during his first year in Washington, but a playoff appearance would be a massive achievement. And clinching that against the Panthers would be a cherry on top.
dark. Next. Three bold predictions for WFT vs. CAR
So, what will this mean for Washington? Perhaps the team, or at least Rivera, will be motivated to put forth a little bit of extra effort and energy in this one. They should’ve already been motivated to win because of the playoff implications, but this revenge angle for Rivera should just add more fuel to the fire.