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A22 sports
Thursday 5 december 2019

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks
downfield to pass the ball against San Francisco 49ers in the first
half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Baltimore, In this Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera leaves the
Md. field following an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Charlotte, N.C.
Associated Press Associated Press

Surging Ravens are Panthers owner leaning toward

unanimous top team offensive-minded head coach

in AP Pro32 poll

By STEVE REED conference by adamant- played only two games
AP Sports Writer ly defending his accom- this season because of a
By SIMMI BUTTAR CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) plishments in his nine sea- foot issue which may re-
AP Pro Football Writer — Panthers owner Da- sons in Carolina. He took quire surgery.
NEW YORK (AP) — Lamar Jackson and the surging Balti- vid Tepper has hinted over a 2-14 team, won "The biggest thing that
more Ravens passed their latest test. that Carolina's next head three straight NFC South contributed to our long-
The Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 Sunday on coach will be someone titles and led the Panthers term mediocrity the last
Justin Tucker's field goal as time expired for their eighth with an offensive back- to the Super Bowl. two seasons is that we
consecutive victory. ground. He leaves with a 73-61-1 didn't have our quarter-
The Ravens, one of five teams with a 10-2 record, are the "In the modern NFL, I think record, more wins than back situation settled,"
unanimous choice as the top team in the latest AP Pro32 there is a preference for any Panthers coach Rivera said. ".... Our prob-
poll. offensive coordinators But Rivera was a coach lems didn't start until
The Ravens earned all 12 first-place votes for 384 points (and) I think there are with a defensive back- when? Until our quarter-
in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly reasons for that," Tepper ground, and Tepper said back got hurt."
cover the NFL. said late Tuesday. "That the NFL has implemented Rivera said he was sur-
"In a potential Super Bowl preview, the Ravens won a does not mean that if you rules that favor the of- prised Tepper fired him
slugfest over the 49ers, showing they're equally adept at find somebody fantastic fense. The owner said with four games left in the
grinding it out against elite teams as they are at dominat- on the defensive side, I that benefits teams with a season. Tepper said he'll
ing weaker opponents," said Newsday's Bob Glauber. won't consider it. If he has head coach that has an form an in-house commit-
Despite the loss, the 49ers remained third in the poll. old-school discipline and offensive background. tee to lead the coaching
"Even in defeat, the 49ers showed every indication they modern and innovative "That's why you're hav- search, which will com-
are capable of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl," processes." ing more people go that mence immediately.
said Ira Kaufman of Fox 13 in Tampa, Florida. Tepper fired longtime way," said Tepper, who It does not appear he's
The Seattle Seahawks climbed two spots to No. 2 after a coach Ron Rivera on bought the Panthers in in the market for a col-
37-30 win on Monday night over the Minnesota Vikings, Tuesday after four straight 2018 and did not hire Ri- lege head coach, talking
who dropped four spots to No. 10. losses left the Panthers (5- vera, who was already in about how difficult the
The New Orleans Saints remained at No. 4 after topping 7) out of serious playoff place. "I think you have a transition to the NFL level
the Atlanta Falcons 26-18 on Thanksgiving and will host contention for the third lot of people on that side can be. He also said he
the 49ers on Sunday in one of the top matchups of Week time in four seasons. accepting the more mod- wants a coach who will
14. Rivera said Wednesday ern processes." try new things, but if they
"Just believe their defense is a tad better than the Saints," that he doesn't believe his Tepper has spoken repeat- don't work is willing to ac-
Fox Sports' John Czarnecki said of the 49ers. coaching career is over. edly about his distaste for knowledge the mistake
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots dropped three In his final news confer- the "long-term mediocrity" and fix the problem.
places to No. 5 after their 28-22 loss Sunday night at AFC ence at Bank of America that has plagued the or- "You want to be success-
South-leading Houston, which jumped two places to No. Stadium Rivera said he will ganization. ful? I don't care what
8. take the next four weeks Rivera said he believes the you do, admit when you
"Anyone who says the Patriots are done doesn't know off but is eager to coach team's struggles the past do things wrong," Tepper
anything about anything," Charean Williams of Pro Foot- again next season. two seasons are directly said. "Fix what you do and
ball Talk said of the defending Super Bowl champs. "I do believe I will get an- tied to quarterback Cam keep doing the things you
The Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, both other opportunity, and I Newton's injuries. Newton do right. It's not that hard.
coming off dominant wins, are tied at No. 6. will coach again," Rivera struggled through shoul- What's hard is for people
The Buffalo Bills remained at No. 9 after topping the Dallas said. The 57-year-old Ri- der problems in the sec- to admit that they've
Cowboys on Thanksgiving and get to face another first- vera opened his news ond half of last season and made a mistake."q
place team as they host the Ravens on Sunday.q