It’s December, and you’re the coach of an NFL team on the edge of mathematical elimination from the playoff race. Your next opponent: A first-place team that has made two of the last three Super Bowls, out for revenge after you swept them in dramatic fashion last season. What’s the worst possible way to start that game? How about benching your franchise quarterback, who happens to be the reigning league MVP, for the first drive?
That’s the call Panthers coach Ron Rivera made on Sunday night, the most stunning gamble for a coach whose entire personal brand is built on unexpected risk-taking.