It was perhaps the worst “You had one job” moment for any NFL coach in the 2022 season. After the Washington Commanders lost, 24-10, to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, they needed the Green Bay Packers to lose to the Minnesota Vikings if they wanted any hope of making the playoffs. If the Packers won (which they did decisively, 41-17), the Commanders would be out.
That apparently came as a surprise to head coach Ron Rivera, who seemed to express legitimate surprise when he was informed by Washington D.C. radio host Grant Paulsen. This was in the context of who Rivera would start at quarterback in Week 18 — Carson Wentz, who threw three interceptions and nearly four in the game, the recently benched Taylor Heinicke, or rookie Sam Howell.
