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SPORTS Wednesday 4 december 2019
Carolina Panthers

fire head coach

Ron Rivera

By STEVE REED Rivera guided the team to
AP Sports Writer a Super Bowl appearance,
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — an NFC championship and
The Ron Rivera era has three NFC South titles.
come to an abrupt end in But the Panthers have fallen
Carolina. on hard times lately follow-
The Panthers fired their ing injuries to quarterback
all-time winningest head Cam Newton the past two
coach with the team on seasons.
a four-game losing streak The Panthers are 5-7 this
and headed to its third season and are all but elim-
non-playoff season in four inated from playoff con-
years. tention after a 29-21 loss to
"I believe this is the best the Washington Redskins
decision for the long-term on Sunday at home.
success of our team," Pan- When asked if he was wor- Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera speaks to the media following an NFL football game
thers owner David Tepper ried about his future with against the Washington Redskins in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019.
said in a statement Tues- the team on Sunday af- Associated Press
day. "I have a great deal ter his team surrendered a
of respect for Ron and the 14-0 lead to the Redskins, the only change coming. manager and vice presi- landing a job next season.
contributions he has made Rivera replied, "I'm not wor- Tepper, who bought the dent of football operations. As for what the move
to this franchise and to this ried about my future. I'm team in 2018, said long- "We all must recognize that means for Newton remains
community." worried about this football term mediocrity is not an this is the first step in a pro- to be seen given that Tep-
Secondary coach Perry team. We have a game option for the Panthers. cess, but we are commit- per has shown he's not
Fewell was been named in- coming up on Sunday" at "We are going to take a ted to building and main- afraid to make big chang-
terim head coach. Atlanta. comprehensive and thor- taining a championship es.
Offensive coordinator Norv They started this season ough review of our football culture for our team and The legacies of Rivera and
Turner will transition to spe- 5-3. Last year the team was operation to make sure we our fans," Tepper said. Newton have always been
cial assistant to the head 6-2 but lost seven straight are structured for long-term Rivera was extremely well intertwined as both came
coach, and quarterbacks games and finished 7-9. sustained success," Tepper liked in the Panthers locker to the Panthers in 2011.
coach Scott Turner will Since losing to the Denver said. "Our vision is to find the room, and he easily related Newton is coming off shoul-
serve as offensive coordi- Broncos in Super Bowl 50 right mix of old-school disci- to players having played der and foot injuries and
nator. four seasons ago, the Pan- pline and toughness with nine seasons in the NFL for the team could save $19
Tepper said he will begin a thers are 29-31 and have modern and innovative the Chicago Bears, winning million under the salary cap
search for a new coach im- not won a playoff game. processes. We will consider a Super Bowl with Jim Mc- if they release or trade him
mediately. Rivera, 57, did not imme- a wide range of football Mahon, Walter Payton and after the season.
Rivera was hired in 2011 and diately return phone calls executives to complement others in 1985. Kyle Allen has filled in for
was 76-63-1 in the regular seeking comment from The our current football staff." Rivera is a two-time NFL Newton this season at
season and a 3-4 postsea- Associated Press. Tepper said the team will Coach of the Year and quarterback and is 5-5 as a
son mark. In nine seasons Rivera's firing might not be hire an assistant general likely won't have a problem starter.q

Pats, Ravens, Seahawks simply

need win to reach playoffs

By The Associated Press Patriots. Baltimore clinches a play-
New England, Baltimore and Se- off spot with a victory at Buffalo
attle have the simplest NFL playoff and wraps up the AFC North with
scenarios going into Week 14: Win a win and a Pittsburgh loss or tie.
on Sunday and they're in. Baltimore and New England each
The Patriots (10-2) can clinch their have a far-fetched scenario to
11th straight trip to the playoffs get in with a loss.
with a victory at home against The Bills (9-3), who have won three
AFC West-leading Kansas City. straight games, need help to get
The Chiefs (8-4) are in with a win in this week if they win.
and an Oakland loss. The Seahawks and San Francisco
New England reached the post- are tied for the NFC West lead
season in 16 of coach Bill Belich- at 10-2. Both will qualify with vic-
ick's first 19 seasons. tories because Seattle is playing
The Patriots, a game ahead of the two-time defending division
Buffalo in the AFC East, have sev- champion Los Angeles Rams.
eral ways to get in with a tie this If the Rams lose, the 49ers are in
week. with a win or tie at New Orleans.
The Ravens (10-2) have the edge The NFC South champion Saints New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, questions a call during
on New England for the AFC's top (10-2) are the only team to clinch the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston.
seed because of a win over the so far.q Associated Press