Commanders' Ron Rivera vs. Broncos' Sean Payton: Familiar Foes Meet Again

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera and Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton faced each other twice a year from 2011-18.

When the Washington Commanders (1-0) play the Denver Broncos (0-1) on Sunday, it'll pit two head coaches with a long history of playing each other. 

Washington head coach Ron Rivera and Broncos head coach Sean Payton each cut their teeth in the NFC South. Rivera was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011-2019) while Payton held the same role with the New Orleans Saints (2006-2021). 

Across the nine seasons they coached the NFC South squads, Rivera's Panthers were 6-11 against Payton and the Saints. SInce 2017, Rivera's teams have gone 1-6 against Payton.  

Payton is in his first season as the Broncos head coach.

“It was always difficult because you know, Sean's one of those guys that has a lot of answers, he really does," Rivera said. "Just because he knows how he wants to attack you and if you counter it, he has something prepared, ready to go. And [Defensive Coordinator] Jack's [Del Rio] gone against him as well, so we both have a pretty good understanding. But there's always still that unknown with him." 

With 17 games of experience against each other, it isn't hard for Payton to coin the characteristics of a Rivera-led team. The one stat that stands out if how they fare in the turnover battle.

“They’re disciplined. They’re outstanding when they win the turnover differential. We went through those numbers today. We did a whole career—Carolina and Washington. Their record when they win the turnover margin is pretty remarkable. They’ve always been tough and physical. We had a history of really, really tough games against Carolina and more recently at Washington." 

The familiarity for Payton doesn't just stop at Rivera. He also coached against Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio during his tenures with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-2011) and Las Vegas Raiders (2015-2017), who played in Oakland at the time.

Payton's history coaching against both Rivera and Del Rio have allowed him to recognize certain things from the defensive minded coaches' scheme in Washington. 

“There’s a little combination," Payton said. "I can recall seeing Jack's [Del Rio’s] defense—shoot, Jacksonville? Was it here, as well? You put on the goal line, and there’s a certain front. If I just looked at the goal line front, I’d say, “Ah, Jack Del Rio’s on the staff.” I’ve gotten to know him. He’s done a great job." 

Payton added: "They’re a penetrating front, and you have to understand what you’re seeing," Payton said. "They’ve got a few defensive packages. They’ll play a penny package; they’ll play a nickel, a Buffalo nickel, and then a base defense. It goes hand-in-hand. How the front’s playing obviously creates opportunities for the back end.”

Now, Rivera and Payton will face off once more on Sunday when the Commanders head on the road to play the Broncos at 4:25 p.m. at Empower Field at Mile High.