Panthers’ Ron Rivera calls Saints game ‘our measuring stick’
By Mike Dyce
The New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers are tied with 10-4 records. Because the Saints beat the Panthers in the first meeting, they’re currently ahead of them in the NFC South standings. A win would give the Panthers a one-game lead in the division heading into the season finale.
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera thinks there is more at stake than just a divisional lead. Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reported on NFL Countdown that Rivera tried to convey that message to his team.
“This is our measuring stick,” Rivera said. “This Saints team has been so good for so long. You want to see where you are? Who you are? You got to go out there and take care of business.”
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made similar comments following the Panthers loss to the Saints two weeks ago.
“It was a great measuring stick for who we are and where we have to go,” Newton said after the Dec. 8 loss. “The best thing about this is we have an opportunity to face this team again in two weeks (at Carolina). Those guys just were better than us today.
“Are they better than us? No.”