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Playing spoiler to Ron Rivera and the Washington Football Team’s division-clinching hopes, the Carolina Panthers earned a decisive 20-13 victory in the nation’s capitol today.
Here are our winners and losers from Sunday’s game.
Winner: WR/RB Curtis Samuel
Samuel is having a career year for Carolina. Today, the versatile receiver got it done through the air and on the ground, totaling 158 yards from scrimmage and leading the team in rushing and receiving yards. Both were career highs for Samuel, who will either sign an extension with the Panthers or hit free agency this offseason. Unfortunately for Carolina, the latter is looking increasingly likely with each impressive performance.
Loser: Panthers’ draft position
The Jaguars may have clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but the Panthers’ draft position had the potential to swing multiple places in the Top-10 depending on how their final two games finished. With the win in D.C., Carolina will temporarily slide down to the ninth pick in the draft, which if it holds all but solidifies the team missing out on a top QB prospect.
Winner: Carolina secondary
The Panthers’ defense picked up right where they left off last week against Green Bay, but the effort was notably easier as they faced the mistake-prone Dwayne Haskins most of the game. Overall, the Carolina secondary took advantage of favorable matchups to force the second-year quarterback into a final stat line of 154 yards, two interceptions and a fumble before he was benched for Taylor Heinicke. Tahir Whitehead and Tre Boston both had picks, while Donte Jackson forced an end-zone incompletion in one of Washington’s last-ditch efforts.
Loser: QB Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater’s poor performance was largely overlooked thanks to an even worse outing by Haskins, but it’s worth mentioning, nonetheless. The Panthers won today thanks to an impressive defensive and special teams effort, not an offensive one. Bridgewater finished the game with a lower quarterback rating than Taylor Heinicke, posting 197 yards on 19 completions while throwing for a touchdown and one interception.
Winner: DT Derrick Brown
Th defensive line has been a major source of hope as of late, and a large reason for that success has been the emergence of first-round draft pick Derrick Brown. Brown deflected two passes at the line of scrimmage and got to the quarterback once, helping to set up the Panthers’ defensive line to finish the game with three sacks and four tackles for a loss.
Loser: OT/G Michael Schofield
Filling in for Trent Scott, Michael Schofield was no match for rookie defensive end Chase Young. The Panthers offensive line allowed Young the opportunity to all-but-solidify his Defensive Rookie of the Year bid, as the No. 2 overall pick ended the game with four tackles, a sack, a pass deflection and a quarterback hit. Montez Sweat also chipped in, adding a key fourth-quarter sack on Bridgewater after easily getting past Schofield.
Winner: Fumble recoveries
As the offense stalled on first-quarter drives, the punt coverage team scored the first touchdown of the day after Washington muffed Joseph Charlton’s kick. Trenton Cannon made a textbook tackle to knee the football into the end zone, then Zylstra fell on it to put six on the scoreboard and score his first NFL touchdown. The Panthers also had a defensive fumble recovery forced by Marquis Haynes, Sr. and recovered by Jermaine Carter Jr.
Loser: K Joey Slye
Slye did not attempt a single field goal today, and that was not because the Panthers never got in range. After missing an extra point attempt in the first quarter, Matt Rhule and Joe Brady consistently tried to convert fourth downs rather than kick mid-to-long-range field goals. If the Panthers’ staff has lost trust in their kicker, it’s only a matter of time before a new one is brought in.
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