Embattled Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera reacted to his team's missed opportunities following a Week 13 defeat to the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon.
Per Panthers reporter Max Henson on Twitter, Rivera, 57, told the media after the 29-21 home loss to Washington:
“Fourth game we’ve been down there (near the goal line) and had a chance. Tough pill to swallow.”
Rivera: “Fourth game we’ve been down there (near the goal line) and had a chance. Tough pill to swallow.”
— Max Henson (@maxhenson) December 1, 2019
Starting quarterback Kyle Allen—who has filled in for most of the year under center for injured former MVP Cam Newton—was sacked on a do-or-die fourth-and-goal at Washington's three yard line, effectively ending the game. The Redskins earned possession of the football and kneeled to end the game—another loss for Rivera and company after the nine-year coach has already been on the hot seat.
Article Continues BelowLast week Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Panthers owner David Tepper would use the final stretch of the season to determine Rivera's job security.
“Panthers owner David Tepper will have a decision to make on coach Ron Rivera after the season, and how they play in the final stretch will go a long way to determining that.”
Rivera previously told reporters that he wouldn't accept mediocrity, however, Carolina's goal line issues and problem finishing games—they stand at 5-7 and are on the outside looking in in the NFC Wild Card race—have weighed on the long-time Panthers coach, which could spell doom for Rivera's tenure in Charlotte.
The Panthers lost last week against the New Orleans Saints where they could not convert in the red zone to score a touchdown, instead opting to kick a field goal, which kicker Joey Slye missed wide right, setting up the Saints to score their own field goal on the other end.