John Matthews
WMAL.com
CHARLOTTE — (WMAL) The Redskins enjoyed two highlights in the first quarter Sunday, then took the rest of the game off as the team’s road loss woes continued in a 44 – 16 pounding in Charlotte at the hands of the undefeated Carolina Panthers Sunday.
The two teams combined for 28 points in the first quarter – the most in any game in the NFL so far this season. The Panthers scored twice on two of Cam Newton’s five touchdown passes on the day, while the Redskins responded with two huge plays. First, Kirk Cousins connected with DeSean Jackson on a 56-yard touchdown – the first TD catch of the season for Jackson, and a reminder of how valuable Jackson is when healthy. Later, after the Panthers took a 14-7 lead, the Redskins responded immediately with a 99-yard touchdown return on the kickoff by Andre Roberts to tie the score.
From there, things went downhill quickly.
The Redskins momentum took its first big hit when Chris Culliver’s apparent interception return for a touchdown was reversed on a personal foul call on Culliver instead. Officials ruled that Culliver’s collision with Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, which had knocked the ball free and allowed Culliver to grab it mid-air was, in fact, an illegal hit. That turnaround soon resulted in the Panthers’ third score of the day, turning what would have been a Redskins’ lead into a Redskins’ deficit.
“That’s a 14-point turn right there,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “The referee made a decision, made a call, and it’s not challengeable, so there’s really no use talking about it.”
After that, the Panthers went on to score 30 unanswered points, helped along by a total of five Redskins turnovers. The Washington defense, which was already struggling to keep up with the high-powered Newton offensive, couldn’t get off the field, as the Panthers controlled the ball for 38 minutes.
The Redskins offense didn’t help the defense at all, managing just 14 yards on 12 carries. Kirk Cousins finished 22 of 30 for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also fumbled twice on sacks.
“They’re undefeated for a reason,” Cousins said. “It doesn’t just happen on accident. They have great players and a great scheme, and they have several players who’ve played in this system for several years. You see the fruit of that in how they’ve played this season.”
The good news for the Redskins is that they play in the NFC East, and that they play at home next week against the Giants. In a season where no team in the division is taking charge, a Skins’ win would provide them with a share of first place.
But after a game like Sunday’s blowout, nothing feels particularly assured or hopeful for Washington.
Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: redskins.com)
