Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC
While Ron Rivera went home a winner, Matt Rhule goes home a loser this week, being outcoached by his predecessor.
Now that the Carolina Panthers have a competent quarterback, Rhule’s flaws can’t be hidden as much as they were before due to expectations starting to pile on in Carolina.
The Panthers were flagged with seven costly penalties and some of the decision-making in the game was questionable. During Carolina’s first opportunity to re-take the lead with under five minutes remaining, they were sitting at fourth-and-3, and Rhule opted to punt the ball.
However, Rhule changed his mind, burned a timeout, and sent the offense back onto the field.
The timeout was pivotal and then the Panthers failed again to score on a second opportunity before the end of the game.
Rhule is no longer a rookie coach and he doesn’t get the pass of being fresh out of the college ranks anymore. He might’ve signed a seven-year contract to tempt him away from the New York Giants, but David Tepper wouldn’t be afraid to pull the plug if this continues.
Not exactly what anybody had in mind. But the same problems continue to emerge during every loss and Rhule appears incapable of making the right adjustments at halftime that is clearly holding this team back.