Week Nine: Panthers @ Redskins Preview
Where: FedEx Field
When: Sunday at 1 pm ET
Watch: Fox5-WTTG
Radio: SportsTalk 980 WTEM
Point Spread: Redskins -3.5
Over/Under: 46.5
Following a pair of road games, the Redskins return home, hosting the Carolina Panthers at Fed Ex Field. It's the annual "Homecoming" contest, with kickoff set for 1pm. Quarterback Robert Griffin III is closing in on yet another record, if he completes 24 passes, he will break Norm Snead's team record for completions by a rookie quarterback. Sunday's matchup is the 11th between the two teams, with the 'Skins holding a 7-3 edge. Washington is 5-0 all-time against the Panthers in games played at Fed Ex Field, but the combined margin of victory totals only 15 points. The Panthers are led by quarterback Cam Newton and arrive with a 1-6 record. Don't think for a minute that Carolina is going to be an easy win. The Panthers were blown out by the Giants 36-7 in week three, but their other five losses have come by a total of 18 points. The unbeaten Atlanta Falcons and once beaten Chicago Bears both were fortunate to come away with victories against the Panthers.
REDSKINS RULE
Unless you have been in a cave for the past six months, you know the election comes two days after the game. Many are wondering if the "Redskins Rule" holds true. In 17 of 18 Presidential elections since the Redskins moved to Washington in 1937, a Redskins win in the final home game before Election Day has meant a win for the incumbent party occupying the White House.
DISCUSS THIS IN OUR REDSKINS FAN FORUM!
PANTHERS: QB CAM NEWTON had 256 passing yards w/ 127.5 rating & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 pass) in only career meeting. Had 5th career 300-yard passing game vs. Bears (314). Has 11 rush TDs in 11 career road games…Since entering league in 2006, RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS ranks 2nd in NFL with 5.0 rush avg. (min. 500 att.). When RB JONATHAN STEWART has 15+ att., Panthers are 14-4 (.778). Aims for 3rd in row with rush TD vs. Redskins…WR STEVE SMITH had 7 catches for 143 yards (20.4 avg.) in last meeting. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ rec. vs. Was. WR BRANDON LA FELL had TD catch in last meeting. Has 20+ yard catch in 6 of past 7…DE CHARLES JOHNSON had 2 sacks & 2 FF last week. Has 22.5 sacks in past 29. Had sack & FF in last meeting. Rookie LB LUKE KUECHLY leads team with 62 tackles. LB JAMES ANDERSON had sack & FR in last meeting. DT DWAN EDWARDS has career-high 4.5 sacks. DE GREG HARDY had career-high 3 sacks vs. Chi. & has 5 sacks in past 4. DE FRANK ALEXANDER is tied for 2nd among NFC rookies with 2.5 sacks. Rookie CB JOSH NORMAN had 1st career INT last week…REDSKINS: QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III leads NFL rookies with 66.8 comp. pct. & 97.3 rating. Is 1st among QBs with 476 rush yards & 6 TDs. His 6 rush TDs are 2nd most by any player…RB ALFRED MORRIS ranks 3rd in NFL with 717 rush yards, best among rookies. Has 454 rush yards in past 5 (90.8 per game). Is tied for 2nd in NFC with 5 rush TDs. Redskins are only team with 2 players (Griffin, Morris) with 5+ rush TDs each…WR SANTANA MOSS had TD catch vs. Pit. & has 5 TD in past 6. WR PIERRE GARCON avg. 19.1 yards per catch. TE LOGAN PAULSEN aims for 3rd in row with 4+ rec. TE NILES PAUL had career-long 37-yard catch last week…LB RYAN KERRIGAN had sack last week. Since 2011, is only NFL player with 10+ sacks (12) & 2+ INT-TDs (2). DE ADAM CARRIKER had career-high 1.5 sacks in last meeting. DT BARRY COFIELD has 1.5 sacks in past 2 meetings. LB LONDON FLETCHER aims for 5th meeting in row with 7+ tackles.
CONTINUE READING for more on the Panthers & Redskins
 Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins  |
||||
| Name | Position | Injury | Practice Status | Status |
| CAR | ||||
| Frank Alexander | DE | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Antwan Applewhite | DE | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Thomas Davis | LB | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Dwan Edwards | DT | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Ben Hartsock | TE | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| Thomas Keiser | DE | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Brandon LaFell | WR | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| WAS | ||||
| London Fletcher | LB | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Pierre Garcon | WR | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| David Jones | CB | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Brandon Meriweather | S | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| Perry Riley | LB | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| Saverio Rocca | P | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Josh Wilson | CB | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| CAROLINA PANTHERS | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| Cam Newton | 121 | 212 | 1701 | 5 |
| Derek Anderson | 3 | 3 | 46 | 0 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Cam Newton | 51 | 310 | 6.1 | 3 |
| DeAngelo Williams | 61 | 210 | 3.4 | 2 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Steve Smith | 35 | 589 | 16.8 | 0 |
| Brandon LaFell | 20 | 367 | 18.3 | 2 |
| WASHINGTON REDSKINS | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| Robert Griffin III | 149 | 223 | 1778 | 8 |
| Kirk Cousins | 5 | 9 | 111 | 1 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Alfred Morris | 151 | 717 | 4.7 | 5 |
| Robert Griffin III | 70 | 476 | 6.8 | 6 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Fred Davis | 24 | 325 | 13.5 | 0 |
| Santana Moss | 23 | 311 | 13.5 | 5 |
Former Panthers on Redskins:
LB Lorenzo Alexander (PS 2005-06)
C Will Montgomery (2006-07)
Coach Jacob Burney (1999-01)
Former Redskins on Panthers:
Coach Ray Brown (1989-95 2004-05)
Coach John Settle (1991-92)
80th Anniversary Uniform
Last week, we had the Steelers in their "bumble bee" uniforms, on Sunday, the Redskins will sport their 80th anniversary edition threads.
"Redskins owner Dan Snyder and his staff worked closely with Nike to create a look that spoke to the club's unique heritage, while highlighting several key details that helped define the team's history,"
PREDICTION
A year ago this month, Cam Newton rushed and passed for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Panthers beat the Redskins 33-20 in Carolina. Newton has had a disappointing sophomore campaign in terms of wins and losses, but his stats are relatively similar to a year ago. Newton has passed for more than 1700 yards this season and also leads the team with 310 yards rushing. The Panthers seem to be making a commitment to Jonathan Stewart at running back, with partner DeAngelo Williams on the trading block. Steve Smith has had success against the Redskins and leads Carolina in both receptions and yards. Rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly leads the Panthers in tackles with 61.
ODDS
NFL Betting Odds (click here to view) have the REDSKINS as 3 point FAVORITES.
News Of Note
-As of Thursday evening, the NFL had yet to take action on DeAngelo Hall. The league is reviewing Hall's ejection during Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, but it would be a surprise if he is declared ineligible at this late juncture.
-There was hope that safety Brandon Meriweather might be ready for Carolina, but Head Coach Mike Shanahan says its a "longshot" that he will return before the bye week.
-We know that wide receiver Pierre Garcon is out with that lingering toe injury, but the team is hoping he might be able to return after the bye week.
Newton had success against the Redskins last season against what was a stronger defensive unit. Like most games this season, the Redskins will have to score early and often to have a chance at victory. While Washington has depended on the running game a great deal thus far, it plays into the Panthers strength on defense.
Panthers 28 Redskins 27
Tom Blaz Is Co-Owner of DC PRO & The Recruiting Eagle focusing on Auburn University Athletics.
