Cam Newton threw a career-high five touchdowns passes as the Panthers improved to 10-0 on the season. Down 7-0, the Skins countered with a 56-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open WR DeSean Jackson to tie the game.
Advertisement
His first touchdown, to running back Jonathan Stewart, came off a quick route after play-action drew in Washington’s linebackers.
The Panthers’ kickoff coverage unit allowed a 99-yard touchdown return to Andre Roberts, their first kickoff-return touchdown allowed since 2009. The rest of the game was a litany of inexcusable missed tackles, fumbles and awful blocking by an offensive line that basically took the day off.
Turnovers killed Washington on its next two possessions, as the team made a series of costly mistakes.
Under Ron Rivera, the Carolina Panthers have had a one-day rule after victories, meaning they can celebrate through Monday before turning their attention to the next game. Carolina has given up less than 30 points in every single game this season.
REDSKINS RUN GAME: The Panthers defense established a new franchise-record by holding the Redskins to 14 yards rushing on 12 carries. But the Panthers have scored at least 20 points in each game, and on Sunday, the ways in which Newton made those five touchdowns happen showed why there’s a hidden gear to this offense. “I told him we’d give him the ball”, coach Andy Reid said. The Skins were unable to establish any semblance of a running game as they could only manage a mere 14 yards on the ground against the Panthers.
LIONS 18, RAIDERS 13: Matthew Stafford ran for a go-ahead 5-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, leading Detroit (3-7) to a victory over visiting Oakland (4-6).
The Redskins drew nine penalties for 68 yards on Sunday, while the Panthers were flagged eight times for 66 yards.
Well, no. In fact, Washington has been called for 65 penalties for 516 yards while opponents have been called for 73 penalties for 626 yards.
Osweiler completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards with five-time MVP Manning staying back in Denver because of injuries to his foot, ribs and shoulder. Today he did just fine by immediately firing a dart to Pierre Garcon for a 17-yard gain to start the drive. On most of those sacks, Cousins never had a chance.
That’s why discussing calls obscures the larger and more important point: The Redskins have plenty to clean up. I’m sure that the officials don’t care about this and are doing their best to call the games evenly, but if it’s getting in your players’ heads, then maybe it’s a sign that something should change. Instead, they escaped with a memorable win. By week 11, you are what you are. “This is a team sport, and we lost as a team”. The guy who was supposed to help stabilize a shaky secondary has done nothing of the kind. Left tackle Trent Williams left the game in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed knee injury. If it is serious, that’s a devastating blow.
Luke Kuechy remains the face of the defence, but the Panthers have had other players emerge as defensive threats.
Jones’ fumble problems are becoming an issue for the Redskins. That’s how bad teams lose. Very, very, very, very good!
– Following a loss to the undefeated Carolina Panthers, one Washington Redskins player vented, saying he felt the team’s nickname may have had something to do with controversial calls that went against them.
Advertisement
This is partially why the Panthers should be one of the NFL’s most feared teams.
