Ron Rivera wanted the
Panthers to get out to a fast start in Super Bowl 50, but using all his
challenges in the first 20 minutes is not what he had in mind. Rivera is out of
challenges for the rest of the game after challenging two plays in the first
half. His second challenge was a questionable decision, even though he was
right. While Rivera helped push the Broncos back seven yards with a correct
challenge after a Peyton Manning sack, Rivera used up his final challenge of
the game to do so. It's a decision he could come to regret if the officials
make a mistake on a bigger play later in the game.
Rivera's first
challenge came after Jerricho Cotchery bobbled a potential catch in the first
quarter. While CBS' Mike Carey expected replays to overturn an incomplete
catch, the replay officials stuck with the call on the field. It was a tough
call to overturn. NFL coaches only get two challenges per game, unless they
successfully challenge the first two. Then they get a third challenge.
