4 Carolina Panthers games with interesting storylines in 2021
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Football Team (Week 11)
- Ron Rivera out to settle old scores.
Another former member of the Carolina Panthers looking to settle a few scores next season is Ron Rivera. The long-serving head coach was fired towards the end of the 2019 campaign and although he can have few complaints, that won’t stop him from putting emotions to one side and twisting the knife into his former employers.
Rivera has done a tremendous job in difficult circumstances since taking over at the Washington Football Team. Despite getting treatment for and beating cancer, the coach led his roster to an NFC East divisional title and a playoff appearance in his first year at the helm.
There is plenty of reasons to be encouraged for Washington in 2021. They have a loaded defense and the arrival of ex-Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel in free agency leaves new quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with an embarrassment of riches to call upon.
This game also comes at a crucial period of the season. Both teams are harboring some lofty ambitions and won’t want their momentum halted in the lead-up to the run-in.
The stakes are high, make no mistake about that.
Washington’s players will be doing everything in their power to make sure Rivera walks away from his old stomping ground with bragging rights. So Carolina will need to be at their best against a top outfit.