Ron Rivera Favored to be Next NFL Coach Fired After Panthers Lose 6th Straight

• Monday night’s loss to Saints all but eliminates Panthers from playoff contention
• Recent sideline firings failed to lift Carolina out of six-game losing streak
• Wilks, Bowles, closely trail Rivera on odds to be next NFL coach fired

The Carolina Panthers saw their chances of advancing to the NFL playoffs take a massive hit with a 12-9 loss to the visiting New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

With the loss as 6-point underdogs, the Panthers have now fallen to defeat in six straight outings, dumping their record to 6-8.

In addition, Carolina’s extended slide has elevated bench boss Ron Rivera to the top of the odds board as the favorite to be the next NFL head coach fired, sporting +200 odds.

Odds to be Next NFL Head Coach Fired?

Mixed Results at the Panthers Helm

Rivera has produced mixed results during his eight seasons at the helm in Carolina. The 56-year-old has guided the Panthers to three NFC South divisional titles, including a league-leading 15-1 campaign in 2015.

But Carolina has produced disappointing results in the playoffs under Rivera, advancing past the Divisional Playoffs just once in four postseason appearances, and failing to reward sports bettors as a 4.5-point favorite in a 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

Recent Firings Failed to Reverse Panthers’ Fading Fortune

Rivera has also failed to help his own cause since making significant changes to his defensive coaching staff two weeks ago.

In addition to taking over defensive play calling from defensive coordinator Eric Washington, Rivera also fired defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura.

Panthers fire two defensive assistants after Bucs loss, Ron Rivera to handle play-calling duties https://t.co/DGUYooOJLn pic.twitter.com/HCGO8Ub6N9

— SportsRadio 740 (@SportsRadio_740) December 3, 2018

The sideline makeover did little to help the team in a 26-20 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, while the Panthers anemic offence continued to sputter against the Saints, and has now produced just 18.8 points per game during the team’s six-game swoon.

While football fans in Carolina are understandably frustrated with the Panthers’ sudden tumble from contender to also-ran status, the team’s defence showed some positive signs in Monday night’s loss to the Saints, most notably by keeping New Orleans pivot Drew Brees from connecting in the end zone for just the second time in his past 24 games.

Newton Injury Contributed to Panthers Second-Half Woes

The Panthers have also been hobbled by a shoulder injury to Cam Newton that has led to suggestions that the star quarterback should be shut down for the season.

Rivera is also widely respected around the NFL, with many observers publicly supporting his continued tenure as Panthers head coach. However, with new ownership in place in Carolina, a coaching change is not out of the question.

Rivera uncertain if he will shut down ailing QB Cam Newton https://t.co/UZGdDR1XXl

— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) December 18, 2018

Wilks, Bowes Among Leading Candidates to be Fired Next

Rivera is not the only head coach perched on the hot seat as the NFL regular season winds down.

Arizona’s Steve Wilks joins New York Jets coach Todd Bowles at +300, ahead of Tampa Bay’s Dirk Koetter and Denver’s Vance Joseph at +500, followed by Jacksonville’s Doug Marrone at +600, while long-time Cincinnati bench boss Marvin Lewis trails as a +900 longshot.

Cardinals likely to fire Steve Wilks after one-year debacle https://t.co/bHLRamn9si pic.twitter.com/sJyBU2zdjl

— New York Post (@nypost) December 18, 2018

Following a 40-14 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, and upcoming dates against the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks to close out the schedule, the Arizona Cardinals are on pace to match a franchise record for futility with a 3-13 record.

That is likely to spell the end of Wilks’ brief tenure as head coach in the desert, with the only question being when the proverbial ax will fall.

McCarthy Linked to Jets as Bucs Conduct Search to Replace Koetter

Speculation has also heated up linking recently fired Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy to the Jets, which would spell the end for Bowles after three straight losing seasons in New York.

Buccaneers researching head-coach candidates; Dirk Koetter coveted around NFL as potential coordinator https://t.co/NDZXS0S5EZ pic.twitter.com/CwGfqyYH6I

— SportsRadio 740 (@SportsRadio_740) December 16, 2018

Rumors are swirling that Mike McCarthy has his eye on the Jets head coach position. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo is reporting former Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy is “very high” on the New York Jets list of replacements for current Head Coach Todd Bowles. #jetsrumors pic.twitter.com/LxiTZzdQWl

— JetNation (@JetNation) December 18, 2018

Koetter is reportedly expected to garner considerable interest from NFL teams looking for an upgrade at offensive coordinator following reports that the Buccaneers have already begun a search to replace the 59-year-old following a third straight losing campaign.