Carolina coach Ron Rivera was asked Monday if there are any similarities between what the Panthers experienced in the season following their Super Bowl loss and what Atlanta is experiencing this season.
After blowing a 25-point lead and losing Super Bowl LI in February, the Falcons are 4-3, but could easily be 1-6 with the only sound win being against Green Bay.
"Yeah, the hangover," Rivera said, according to ESPN. "It's difficult. It really is."
The season following their Super Bowl L loss to Denver, the Panthers went into November with a 3-5 record and finished the season 6-10.
The Panthers lost cornerback Josh Norman to free agency before the 2016 season and noticeably struggled on both sides of the ball in communication, execution and leadership.
This season, the Panthers are 5-3 and are coming off a win over Tampa Bay headed into Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
When answering the question about post-Super Bowl loss seasons, Rivera said getting over that loss is really tough.
"I can only speak for myself, just knowing the disappointment ... it sticks with you," Rivera said, according to ESPN. "It really did. I was fine until (the reporter) brought it up again. You've just got to work to get past it."
Last season, the Falcons were 5-3 headed into November and finished the season with an 11-5 record and a Super Bowl appearance.
The Falcons showed not all hope for this season is lost in Week 7 after stopping a three-game skid on Sunday with a 25-20 win over the New York Jets in inclement weather.
“I thought all three phases picked up and supported one another in the right ways,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Monday. “In that kind of weather, that’s going to do right longer all the way at the end, and I thought our team did that. ... We’re expecting a straight-up battle with them up in Charlotte this weekend. We can’t wait to get the preparation beginning for that.
The NFC South rivals kick off on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium and can be watched on Fox.
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