Ron Rivera Strikes Again, Goes Deep On Fourth-and-4 (Video)

The Carolina Panthers were down big to the Minnesota Vikings at the half and facing a fourth down early in the second half, Ron Rivera rolled the dice.

The Carolina Panthers might not have been able to play worse on special teams in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium.

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The Vikings turned two blocked punts into touchdowns and led 28-6 at the half and the Panthers needed something positive with their first possession of the second half.

So Riverboat Ron Rivera struck again.

Faced with a fourth-and-4 at the Minnesota 32, Cam Newton found Philly Brown deep down the middle for a 32-yard touchdown, cutting the Vikings’ lead to 28-13.

Carolina is dominating play, with almost 11 minutes more time of possession and a substantial advantage in yards gained, but those two special teams gaffes are hanging around its neck like an anchor.

With only seconds left in the third quarter, though, the Panthers are running out of time, still trailing 28-13.

At 3-7-1, the only reason they are still a viable playoff contender is that they play in the NFC South, where the Atlanta Falcons led the division coming into Week 13 with a 4-7 record. The New Orleans Saints, also 4-7, are leading their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the third quarter.

The Falcons host the Arizona Cardinals later, but a win would help the Panthers—if only because they can’t expect everyone else in the division to keep losing.

Or maybe they can, but still … winning looks so much better.

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Riverboat Ron Rivera Strikes Again, Goes Deep On Fourth-and-4 (Video)

By Phil Watson | Nov 30, 2014

The Carolina Panthers were down big to the Minnesota Vikings at the half and facing a fourth down early in the second half, Ron Rivera rolled the dice.

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