The Coaching Battle Between Mike Tomlin and Ron Rivera

Head coach Mike Tomlin will have to out coach Carolina Panthers Ron Rivera this Sunday night in order to for the Steelers to beat the Panthers in Carolina.

Both Rivera and Tomlin coaching careers have taken a turn over the past year and a half. Rivera was once considered to be the leading candidate to replace former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher after the 2006-2007 season.

At the time Rivera was the defensive,coordinator for the Chicago Bears who made it to the super bowl that season.

Eventually Tomlin was hired and has been the head coach for the past 8 seasons this year making it his ninth. The coaching styles of Tomlin and Rivera has some things in common and some different.

Both Tomlin and Rivera are defensive minded coaches who love to get after the quarterback and create turnovers. When it come to base defense Tomlin operates out of the 3-4 and Rivera the 4-3.

Tomlin this Sunday must find a way to deal with pass rusher Charles Johnson and the many different blitzes Rivera will send toward the Steelers offense.

When it comes to offense Tomlin is more expandable than Rivera. The Panthers coach has a three headed monster in the back field in DeAngelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart, and Mike Tolbert. The passing game under Rivera has been decent but it remains to be seen how the depth at receiver will pan out.

Not to mention quarterback Can Newton is always a threat to run. Tomlin over the past few seasons has relied more on the passing game allowing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to have more control over the offense.

Rivera and Tomlin are both known as coaches who know how to inspire their respective teams. Tomlin will need to show that he can make multiple adjustments to off set the pass rush and to make the Panthers offense predictable.

Tomlin will need to motivate his players to a higher mental level so that they will not be mentally beaten by the Panthers. This coaching battle will come down to X’s and O’s and who inspires their players the best.