Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Has a Lot at Stake vs. Cowboys

In football, you're only as good as your legacy, and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera is in danger of leaving a losing one.

The Washington Commanders have more on the line on the field this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys than many may realize.

For quarterback Sam Howell he's getting one more shot this season to show he has what it takes to lead the team into its future, and for Commanders coach Ron Rivera who is expected to be let go, his legacy is on the line. 

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera reacts during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

“Now it is, now that you mentioned it," coach Rivera said when presented with the fact that his career win/loss record stands at .500 exactly and whether or not it is important he stay above that mark. "I'm serious. I mean, you want to go out and you want to do the best you can. You want to be able to say you won. I've been very fortunate, reflect on what I've done as a coach in terms of getting a team to a Super Bowl. That's a pretty big deal. But it's, yeah, now it is, yeah.”

It's not that Rivera didn't want to win this weekend's game anyway, but having a personal legacy on the line is as motivating a factor as any. 

Nobody wants to be tagged as a loser in this business, just ask defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. 

While there is rampant speculation that neither man will be back next offseason, only one of them has any control over how this final game will go. 

Allen will miss this weekend's game against the Cowboys with a knee injury leaving defensive tackle Daron Payne the lone first-round NFL Draft pick left on a line that started with four this season.

Rivera Gives Final Message Ahead of Cowboys Clash

Washington has fallen far since its glory days of the past, and now its entirely possible - expected even - coach Rivera's legacy will be the final victim of that descent this season. 

When he was hired Rivera was 13 games over .500 in his coaching career with a Super Bowl appearance and was a two-time Coach of the Year Award recipient.

If Sunday is his final stand with the Commanders, he'll finish his tenure with the team below .500 no matter what. It's his career mark that's in question, and that certainly matters.