Ron Rivera – Former Carolina Panthers HC
The Washington Football Team had a handful of winners in this game but Ron Rivera has to be headed home with a huge smile on his face.
Fired by the Carolina Panthers two years ago, this was Rivera’s first time back in Bank of America Stadium. Not only did he completely outcoach Matt Rhule, but he won in large part due to two players that used to play in Charlotte to rub further salt into the wounds.
Taylor Heinicke was a backup for the Panthers in 2018 and looked like a Pro Bowler on Sunday. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
Joey Slye, who was cut by Carolina this offseason and went on to play for the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers before signing with Washington a few weeks ago, nailed two field goals late in the game to secure the victory.
Last season, Rivera lost to the Panthers in his first game coaching Washington against them. So for him to get the win on his former home turf must feel even better.
It was certainly the right decision to move on from Rivera. But this one might sting for a few days and in all honesty, the Panthers brought on most of the problems themselves with a lack of execution and poor situational football once again.