Ron Rivera knew at some point he would have to prepare a game plan to face his former quarterback and longtime friend Cam Newton.

That time is here.

Newton is expected to start Sunday when the Panthers (5-5) host the Washington Football Team (3-6) in a game that pits a quarterback against his former coach of nine seasons in Carolina.

Together, Newton and Rivera helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl in the 2015 season and win three division titles.

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Rivera was fired late in the 2019 season and Newton was let go the following offseason by a new Panthers regime.

But Newton rejoined the Panthers last week on a one-year deal after Carolina’s quarterback situation reached the point of desperation after struggling starter Sam Darnold went down with a 4 to 6 week shoulder injury.

The 32-year-old QB’s return couldn’t have gone any better as he provided an instant jolt to the offense, scoring touchdowns the first two times he touched the ball coming off the bench in Carolina’s 34-10 upset win on the road last week against the Arizona Cardinals. He has single-handedly rejuvenated a team that had lost five of its six previous games.

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Rivera makes his return to Charlotte, where he was a popular figure for most of his tenure.

“It’s going to make for a heck of a game,” Rivera said.

Rivera said the Panthers adding Newton was a “bold move” considering the playmakers the team already has on offense, including Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson.

“They have some talent there,” Rivera said.

Newton has been cramming to learn the offense after joining the team at practice last Friday. He had a 10- to 15-play package going into the Arizona game, but Panthers coach Matt Rhule is hoping Newton can grasp enough of the offense to start this week over P.J. Walker.

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Rhule said it is not so much about Newton learning the playbook, but more about learning the game plan including protections in the running and passing game.

“We all understand Cam is like a force of nature in the things he brings” on the field, Rhule said. “But I don’t want that to be all that people realize. I’ve only known him a short time. What I see is a true professional that wants to win and puts the time in.”

Added Rivera: “I think it’s an opportunity for him to go back home, to pick up where he started off. It’s kind of a cool deal.”

Things to watch when Washington visits Carolina.