The Washington Football Team and Carolina Panthers are tied at 14 at halftime of their Week 11 matchup.
The Panthers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Cam Newton found wide receiver D.J. Moore for a touchdown.
Washington appeared to answer before running back Antonio Gibson fumbled in the red zone. Washington’s defense held, giving the ball back to the offense. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke went to work, capping the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cam Sims.
The Panthers went back to work, as Newton scored on a 24-yard run to put Carolina back up 14-7. Washington’s defense aided the Panthers after a 15-yard penalty on safety Kam Curl gave Carolina the ball in Washington territory.
Then, Washington had another epic drive just before halftime. Washington facing a fourth-and-5 goes for it, and Heinicke finds wide receiver DeAndre Carter for 18 yards. A few plays later, Heinicke, facing third-and-9, found wide receiver Adam Humphries to keep the drive alive.
To cap the drive, Heinicke hits Terry McLaurin in the end zone for a 12-yard score to tie things up just before the half.
Rivera’s fourth-down gamble pays off in a big way.
Heinicke has completed nine of 12 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Running back J.D. McKissic leads Washington with 42 yards rushing, while McLaurin has three receptions for 81 yards and the touchdown.
Washington will receive the second-half kickoff.