CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera knows what the No. 1 defense in the NFL looks like. He played on arguably the best defense in league history as a linebacker for the 1985 Chicago Bears.
He thought this year’s Carolina defense could be pretty good, but not necessarily No. 1.
Julius Peppers did.
The 37-year-old defensive end, who ranks fourth on the NFL's all-time sacks list, said before the season the Panthers had a chance to be the league's top-ranked defense. He said after Week 2 this was the best defense he'd ever been a part of.