Last week, the Panthers needed a game-winning drive from Cam Newton to defeat an NFC East opponent they probably should have beaten easily – turnovers and mistakes cost them an easy win but it took a miracle Graham Gano field goal to pull out the victory; this week, with mistakes and turnovers threatening to keep them from winning against an NFC East opponent they probably should have beaten, three consecutive passes from the Redskins’ 16-yard line fell incomplete and the Panthers comeback fell short.
The Panthers knew that if they came into this week’s game against a legitimate playoff contender like the Washington Redskins that was only six days removed from being embarrassed during Drew Brees’ coronation on Monday night in New Orleans, they would be walking away from Washington with a loss – they couldn’t make mistakes; they’d have to make the Washington Redskins beat them instead of beating themselves.
But that’s exactly what they did in a 23-17 loss to the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field to even both teams’ records at 3-2.
A fumbled punt return by rookie DJ Moore as he strained for extra yards early in the first quarter gave the Redskins possession at the Panthers 22-yard line, which they promptly turned into a 22-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis for an early 7-0 lead; the Panthers, who had allowed an 81% completion percentage to tight ends over the last three games, continued that trend as Smith froze safety Eric Reid by looking to the right as Davis ran uncovered up the left seam – Davis would finish with three catches for 48 yards and the score on three targets; his fellow tight end Jordan Reed would finish with five catches for 36.
They were the Redskins’ two leading receivers on the day.
The Redskins would score again after a quick three-and-out gave the ball back to the Redskins, who would put together a 12 play, 64 yard drive ultimately capped by a Smith two-yard touchdown pass to Paul Richardson, Jr. – again on a soft zone over the middle. The Panthers would allow 26 yards rushing on that drive – they came into the game only allowing 95 yards per game total – the Redskins would finish with 132 yards rushing; 33-year old Adrian Peterson would have 97 of those.
Alex Smith would finish with only 163 yards but two scores; Cam Newton would have 275 yards passing and two scores opposite an interception to go with 43 yards rushing.
Another Moore miscue would lead to a Redskins 17-0 lead as the rookie would again fumble as he fought for extra yardage on a pass over the middle; the wide receiver’s thirst for YAC is both a blessing and a curse at times as former Panthers corner Josh Norman would force a fumble – his second turnover of the game after an easy interception earlier in the second quarter. While Moore would finish with 77 total yards, his two fumbles and a first-quarter failure to pin the Redskins deep on a punt that bounced at the ten-yard line before heading harmlessly into the end zone will be what most fans remember from the rookie’s return to Maryland.
Cam Newton and Devin Funchess would answer back with a drive late in the first half – that needed only 2:25 to cover 75 yards and cut the lead to 17-6 after Graham Gano missed the extra point; Devin Funchess had a highlight reel catch – the kids call it Mossing – as he took advantage of a height advantage over cornerback Quinton Dunbar for the touchdown; Funchess had easily his best game of the season, turning Dunbar around on an out route earlier in the game and using his frame to catch almostbeverything thrown his way – the wide receiver would finish with five catches for 74 yards and the score.
After a flurry of activity near the end of the first half that ended with both teams possessing the ball twice in the final three minutes and neither team scoring, the Panthers would enter halftime down 17-6.
After trading field goals, the Panthers would look to veteran wide receiver Torrey Smith, who hadn’t had even a target during the first 48 minutes of game time, on four of the nine plays of a touchdown drive that took just over four minutes of game time to finish with a touchdown to cut the Redskins lead to 20-17. Smith would catch all four of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown – a well-executed pick play with Devin Funchess would result in the three-yard score; Smith would finish with five catches for 43 yards before a Redskins field goal provided the final margin.
Additional Notes:
- Thomas Davis, returning from a four-game suspension, was out for the coin toss in lieu of captain Luke Kuechly, who gave up his captain spot out of respect for the “Mayor of Charlotte” for the day.
- Eric Reid continued his protest against social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem for the second week in a row.
- Graham Gano, a week after his heroic 63-yard game-winning field goal, missed a second quarter extra point.
- A Cam Newton fumble bounced right into the arms of left guard Greg Van Roten, who was tackled almost immediately – because the ball landed in the lineman’s hands in the air, Van Roten was credited with one carry for -7 yards. That was – and will likely forever be – the only carry of the 303 pound Van Roten’s career. A similar play happened with Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, who rumbled forward for three yards – the key to a career long 56 yard field goal for the Redskins’ Dustin Hopkins.
I’ve been over Ron Rivera for a long time. He needs to go.
Our DC gold rush seems like it’s finally run out. Our defense didn’t even really lose much from last year and our run defense is a nightmare. And the pass defense isn’t anything to write home about, either.
Ron Rivera is also directly responsible for the Norv Turned hire… Because jobs on his staff don’t get comprehensive searches. He just finds old buddies who want to make a buck at a cushy gig.
It used to be cushy. Hopefully Tepper sees what large parts of the dedicated fans see, which is a deeply talented team consistently not living up to its potential. The call to punt again on 4th and 1 early today should be a nail in Ron’s coffin. He’s been doing this for 7 years with one of the largest QBs to ever play the game.
Norv Turner hasn’t made an impact in this game in over a decade. And he had like 3 Hall of Famers at the time. This game has passed him by.
Our season gets a whole lot harder starting next Sunday. Teams like Philly and New Orleans and Pittsburgh are going to chew us up and spit us out.