RR record in one score games

[Estrada]

24-23-1

Including playoffs: 25-23-1

2011 Record: 2-6;  Ron's first season at the helm; the Panthers lose 5 games by 7 points or less (all in the first 8 weeks), and 1 game by 8 points, averaging 5.5 points per loss. Close wins against Jacksonville by 6 and Indy by 8, who finished with 7 wins between them for the season. The Panthers finish 6-10, 3rd in the division

2012 Record: 4-7; Ron makes an encore by proceeding to lose 7 games by 7 points or less (5 of which came in the first 8 weeks, and that's counting the week 6 bye; 2 were by 3 total points), averaging 4.3 points per loss; games were even closer and more were lost. Close wins against 7-9 NO 2x, by 8 and 6; 10-6 NFC East winner Washington, by 8; 4-11 Philadelphia by 8. The Panthers finish 7-9, 2nd in the division. NOTE: Panthers lose to the 2-14 Chiefs at Arrowhead 27-21 in week 13. 

2013 Record: 5-2; "Riverboat Ron" is born and the Panthers make their first playoff berth since 2008. The Panthers lose by 5 to the Seahawks in Week 1 and by 1 to Buffalo on the road in week 2. In 34 career games to this point, Ron is 2-14 in 7 point or less games. The Panthers dominate the Giants, but lose to the Cardinals on the road, and are at 1-3 after 5 weeks. The Panthers then proceed to win 10 out of their next 11, 5 of those games decided by 7 points or less, including wins against 3 playoff teams in the 49ers, Patriots, and Saints. Panthers win division/#2 seed at 12-4; lose to SF in Divisional Round

2014 Record: 4-2-1; The Panthers lose to Seattle at home for the 3rd consecutive year at home close, this time by 4; they lose to ATL at home 2 weeks later by just 2 points. The Panthers win 4 games by 7 points or less, but they come against the 2-14 Bucs 2x, 5-11 Bears, and the 7-9 Browns. In Week 6 The Panthers manage to tie the Bengals 37-37 after trading consecutive field goals in OT. Panthers finish 7-8-1 and win weak NFC South; lose to Seattle in divisional round.  

2015 Record: 7-1 (8-1 including playoffs); Best Season in Panthers Franchise History. The Panthers go 15-1 and all the way to Superbowl 50; The Panthers win 7 games by 1 score, with 3 coming against playoff teams. The Panthers one loss is by 7 to the Falcons in week 16. The Panthers beat the Seahawks 31-24 at home in the divisional round.

2016 Record (after 12 weeks): 2-5; This hearkens back to Ron pre-Riverboat. The Panthers have lost 5 games this year by 3 points or less, averaging 2.6 points per loss. We beat the Rams and NO by 3.

Omitting the tie, Ron's record in one score (8 points or less) games is 24-23 (7 wins against playoff teams); his record in games decided by 7 points or less is 19-22; In games by a FG or less he is 8-11 (2-5 this year alone; 6-6 before this year, with 3 of those wins coming last year)

Despite winning 15 games last year, we notoriously left our foot off the gas in half of those games that were won by 1 score: Indy, GB, NYG, and Seattle [in the playoffs].

Omitting the 7 point loss to the Falcons last year, Rivera's point average per loss in close games has dropped each year, which means when we do lose close games it is basically more and more excruciating. Are player execution and front office moves factors? Certainly. Have we had injuries and personnel group issues? About more or less the same as other teams. The point is that the wins are there, but they are not taken. We could have had a winning season every year Ron has been here. His track record pre-2013 is evident. Those could have been winning seasons. Barring a miracle this year will be the same as those years. DG was a staunch supporter of Rivera when he was under fire in 2013, and JR may want him to stay regardless. If Ron and his staff stay we may end up with a Fox 2.0 situation, but wasting far more talent. We'll see... 

[GoobyPls]

I forgot the stat but only the Browns have a worst record than Rivera when trailing by double digits.

 

Before last season it was something like 2-24

[BIGH2001]

Well, one thing seems obvious. Teams that win close games more often than they lose close games will make the playoffs. Outside of the 2 or 3 truly horrible teams, most nfl games are close.

Given the pretty substantial amount of luck involved with winning a one score game I would say a 500 record in those games is about right. The problem with Rivera is that he is either really good or really bad, there is no in between.

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[Cyberjag]

I read an article in Grantland a few years ago that said the Panthers were due to be good because they had lost so many close games, and it was time for the ball to bounce the other way.  Right now it looks like it's bouncing back.