Before Ron Rivera became the head coach of the Panthers, PFT regularly pointed out that anyone in the AFC South who is looking for a new coach should consider Rivera, because Rivera had done very well against Manning as the defensive coordinator of the Chargers.
The dynamic culminated in a 36-14 win over Manning and the Colts in Indianapolis on November 28, 2010, with Rivera’s defense holding Manning to 14 points and picking him off four times.
It pushed the Chargers to 4-1 against Manning during Rivera’s time with the Chargers, including a pair of playoff wins over Manning and the Colts. While Manning beat Rivera and the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, Manning was good but not great in that game, completing 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
In 2012, Manning’s Broncos faced Rivera’s Panthers. Denver won (coincidentally, by the score of 36-14), but Peyton threw only one touchdown pass.
Rivera and Manning meet again in the postseason on Sunday. If Rivera can do against Manning what Rivera did when with the Chargers, the Panthers will be hoisting a Lombardi. Otherwise, the Sheriff will be walking off into the sunset with that trophy under his arm, matching the one from nine years ago.