CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The Carolina Panthers have used another strong December push under fourth-year coach Ron Rivera to reclaim the NFC South lead.
Despite going more than two months without a victory, the Panthers (6-8-1) enter Week 17 needing a win or tie Sunday at Atlanta to repeat as division champions.
Carolina’s strong finish has become commonplace since Rivera’s arrival.
The Panthers are 14-3 in December games since Rivera took over as coach in 2011. Only Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have a better record (15-2), according to STATS.
Rivera attributes Carolina’s strong finish to the team’s decision to incorporate younger players into the starting lineup in the second half of the season and his players putting in extra work on the field after practice.
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