Commanders News: Sam Howell, Ron Rivera, Darius Slay and quick turnaround
By Dean Jones
Commanders HC Ron Rivera's tough decision
Ron Rivera had a big decision to make at the end of regulation in Week 4. After wide receiver Jahan Dotson's dramatic touchdown catch with time expiring, the head coach opted to kick a field goal rather than go for the throat with a two-point conversion that could have potentially won the game.
This came back to haunt the Washington Commanders during a gut-wrenching loss. But when Riverboat Ron - a man known for taking a risk or two in pursuit of victory - outlined his explanation regarding the choice via CBS Sports, it's clear he wasn't confident in his tiring offense getting the job done after a phenomenal effort to give themselves a fighting chance.
"Yeah (we considered it), but you know what? Those guys, they were gassed. They really were. It was a (long) drive. They were hurrying, they were hustling. I really thought we had the chance (to win), you know, and that's too bad."
- Ron Rivera via CBS Sports
Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have, obviously. Had the officials made a better call regarding Terry McLaurin's catch that never was, things might have been different. Those are the fine margins that decide games, unfortunately.
That said, Rivera can be proud of the way his team dug in after such a torrid outing in Week 3. But there is no time to cry over spilled milk with the Chicago Bears and the national NFL spotlight awaiting on Thursday.