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Washington Football Team: Ron Rivera, it’s time to Put up your Dukes

By Lawrence Dukes

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team looks on during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 15, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team looks on during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 15, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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A previous two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Ron Rivera is making a strong case for his third award with the Washington Football Team.

In his first season as head coach of the Washington Football Team, Ron Rivera has Washington on the cusp of winning their first division title since 2015. It’s rather astonishing considering what Rivera was tasked with: Rebuilding a 3-13 football team while working with one of the most intrusive owners in professional sports. Oh yeah, and Rivera did all that while overcoming a cancer diagnosis.

Washington obviously doesn’t have the look of a playoff team. Ron Rivera’s squad can finish no better than 8-8. In a normal year, an 8-8 record for a franchise equates to vacation reservations in January. That’s not the case in 2020 where the number seven is the magic number for Washington. Washington’s offense has been anything but magic this season as it ranks 26th (21.6 PPG) in scoring and 29th in yards per game (371.3 YPG).

Ron Rivera’s impact and influence have had the biggest impact on the defense. Before Rivera’s arrival, Washington ranked 27th in yards allowed and scoring in 2019. With two games remaining in the season, Washington’s young defense is a top-five unit as it ranks fifth in points allowed (21.1 PPG) and fourth in yards allowed (312.6 YPG).

In Week 15, Washington gave the Seattle Seahawks a scare in a 20-15 loss. Washington trailed 20-3 heading into the fourth quarter with Dwayne Haskins at the helm. Despite the defense allowing a season-high 181 rushing yards and two interceptions from Haskins, Washington fought hard and gave themselves a chance to win late in the fourth quarter. Heading into the contest, the Seahawks were the third-ranked scoring offense in the league, and Washington held Seattle to 20 points.

A win over the Carolina Panthers and a Giants loss clinches the NFC East for the Washington Football Team. Yes, the same Carolina Panthers that fired Ron Rivera after a 5-7 start in 2019. Yes, the same Carolina Panthers that Ron Rivera once led to a Super Bowl. A division title would be a major accomplishment for Ron Rivera and his staff. Rivera has kept his young team focused on building a culture that’s conducive to winning despite the off-field drama.

Since he arrived in Ashburn, Ron Rivera hasn’t been afraid to make the tough decisions. In the offseason, he purged the roster of disgruntled players like Trent Williams and Quinton Dunbar. Rivera quickly moved on from Derrius Guice and released Adrian Peterson a week before the regular season. From the name change to sexual assault allegations, Rivera has been transparent and at the forefront on these issues.

Rivera has coached Washington from a 2-7 start to a realistic shot at the playoffs. As the adage goes, a team exemplifies the personality of its head coach. Without question, this team has more fight and grit than any that Washington has fielded under Daniel Snyder’s drama-filled 21-year tenure as owner.

Ron Rivera will without question have Washington ready to play against his former team. A loss by the New York Giants is almost inevitable. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, it’ll be the defense that wins the game. Rivera’s toughness has been infectious on this roster all season and it’s paying dividends at the right time for this franchise.

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