How will the Commanders’ loss to the Bears rank in the Ron Rivera era?
The Commanders were a touchdown favorite Thursday night to defeat the winless Bears.
Much of sports radio and social media approached the game as a “must-win game” because to lose to the Bears would simply be unacceptable.
Even worse, the Commanders apparently approached the game the same way. They simply “knew” they would win, and there was no sense of urgency. The Commanders were down 27-3 at the half, getting bombed with big plays, losing 40-20 to the winless Bears.
There have been other tough losses that were extremely disappointing in the Rivera four seasons here in Washington.
After a 1-4 start in 2022, the Commanders found themselves at 7-5 with back-to-back games against the Giants to clinch a playoff spot. They couldn’t win either game, and it was the Giants who made the playoffs.
In 2021, Rivera’s team was a lowly 2-6 but rebounded nicely with a four-game winning streak, evening their record at 6-6 with a huge home game against Dallas next.
They were visibly slower, less intense, and outplayed significantly in a woeful start as Dallas raced to a 24-0 halftime lead. They would lose the next four straight and again miss the playoffs.
In 2020, they opened the Rivera era, winning the season opener against the Eagles at FedEx 27-20. Washington was going to have a good year. No, they then lost their next five games. It was not a successful season, but it has been covered up by the fact the division was its weakest ever in that season. It was a losing season at 7-9.
Commanders Wire has been perhaps the most empathetic publication towards Ron Rivera and his staff. Though we have had to tell the truth about previous disappointments, we have detailed some of the obstacles Rivera and his staff have faced.
However, Thursday night’s humiliation left us all more discouraged than previously. Deep down, don’t we all feel Thursday night’s unacceptable performance was the handwriting on the wall?
We have loved and supported Ron Rivera, hoping for his and the franchise’s success.
Yet, following the evidence, doesn’t it lead us to conclude Ron Rivera will not be able to deliver a winner in Washington?