5 major disappointments from the Commanders' loss vs. Cowboys in Week 18

Ron Rivera

At half-time, Ron Rivera gave a sound bite to FOX’s sideline reporter saying that he was pleased with his team’s competitiveness. The Washington Commanders were then outscored 17-0 in the second half.

I don’t care what Rivera said to the reporter. That doesn’t matter. I care what he said at half-time.

Whatever it was, it didn’t work. Washington was not going to win this game. The Dallas Cowboys are a much better team. And I will not accuse the Commanders of giving up. I don’t think NFL players do that.

But at this point, Rivera seems to have lost whatever ability he once had to get his team to play quality football. This week was a switch-up from most of the season when they began flat. Washington didn’t begin poorly against Dallas. But they sure grew flatter and flatter as the game went on.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals - two very bad teams this year - put up strong final efforts against better opponents in the final week of the season. The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans - two teams well out of the playoffs - beat teams who had a lot on the line going into Sunday.

Seeing so many other coaches get their teams to play well in seemingly meaningless games at the end of the season puts Rivera’s failures this season into sharp relief. Just one of many reasons he is no longer head coach after his expected firing on Black Monday.

It is a disappointing end for a venerable coach. And a disappointing end to a highly disappointing season.