Game Preview, Week 7: Carolina Panthers at Washington
October 19, 2024
by Steve Thomas
Washington acquitted themselves fairly well last week against a Super Bowl contender on the road, even though the game was ultimately a loss. This week is a totally different situation, as the sad-sack Carolina Panthers come to town, now featuring long-time Bengals starter Andy Dalton at quarterback. The Panthers may not be a good football team – in fact, they are one of the 2 or 3 worst teams in the league – but they still have some weapons and should not be taken likely. Regardless, this is definitely a game Washington should win, and if they want to be taken seriously as a playoff contender, this is the time of matchup that they need to take care of quickly and early. As we all know, though, anything can happen on any given Sunday. Our game preview begins below.
Game time & location: Sunday, October 20, 2024, 4:05 p.m. ET, Northwest Stadium, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 2:05 p.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 11:05 a.m.; all other parking lots 12:00 p.m.
Television: CBS
Television announcers: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
TV broadcast map: Click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Panthers radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: Sirius: 83 (Wash. broad.); SiriusXM: 227 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Panthers roster: Click here
Panthers depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Panthers: 10 – 7 (last 10: 4 – 6)
Last meeting: W, November 21, 2021, 27 – 21
Panthers record: 1 – 5
Early odds: Washington, -9.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Play a balanced offense
What I mean by this is that Washington doesn’t really need to come up with some sort of special gameplan that outside of the bounds of what they’ve been doing. Washington’s offense of the past 5 weeks, with a balanced running and passing attack, really ought to be good enough to get the job done against a team like Carolina that isn’t particularly successful in either run or pass defense. They are slightly better against the run, with opposing defenses averaging 4.5 yards per carry, which is ranked 18th, but this isn’t a defense that excels at anything. The best thing Washington can do on offense in this game is continue to develop as a team that can be a threat both on the ground and in the air. This game can be a building block for the future.
Focus on Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard is one of the few Panthers players who has had some consistent success. To date this season, Hubbard has 86 carries for 485 yards, 5.6 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns. Only his week one production, which was just 6 carries for 14 yards and 2.3 yards per carry, has held back his statistics. Of all of Carolina’s offensive weapons, Hubbard is the guy on whom Washington needs to focus their efforts. Look for Washington to focus their defensive game plan on keeping Hubbard in check. Given Washington’s defensive results so far this season, it doesn’t seem likely that they will be able to succeed.
Limit mistakes
Washington is a better team than Carolina, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t win. One thing that could possibly be a negative impact is mistakes such as turnovers, penalties, and blown coverages. Washington doesn’t need to do anything special in this game; they just need to not overlook the Panthers and continue to play fairly well on offense. That’s it.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Benjamin St-Juste vs. Diontae Johnson
None of the Panthers’ receivers have been overly productive this season, certainly due at least in part to poor quarterbacking, but Johnson is the best of the bunch. St-Juste certainly has something to prove right now, as he hasn’t performed particularly well this season against a string of quality receivers. This is an opportunity for St-Juste, as the team’s top corner, to get back on track and not allow yet another receiver to get the better of him. Keep an eye out on how well St-Juste is doing against Johnson in this game.
Brandon Coleman vs. Jadeveon Clowney
First of all, Clowney has a shoulder injury and may not play; however, if he does, then he matchup with Coleman might be the highest-profile one in the game. This will be a perfect opportunity for the rookie tackle to prove that he’s taken a big step forward big limiting the impact of a well-known, high profile 3x Pro Bowler. On the other hand, it could also go horribly wrong. Clowney not playing in this game would probably be better for Washington overall, but giving Coleman the opportunity to face him could be a valuable experience.
Terry McLaurin vs. Jaycee Horn
McLaurin had a fairly modest game last week, at least by his standards. Washington needs to see him get back on track and have a big game against the Panther’s top corner. As far as matchups go, this one seems to be a pretty good one for McLaurin, so watch out for how open he is, particularly early in the game.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Panthers |
| DE D. Armstrong, rib; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | RB J. Brooks, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: O |
| LB F. Luvu, toe/NIR (rest); Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP | LB C. Cherelus, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs; DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| LB B. Wagner, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP | OLB J. Clowney, shoulder; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: D |
| G N. Allegretti, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | LB J. Jewell, hamstring/groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| C T. Biadasz, thumb; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | WR D. Johnson, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| DE C. Ferrell, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | T T. Moton, elbow; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| S Q. Martin, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | LB T. Rhattigan, knee/illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| S T. Owens, shin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O | DE A. Robinson, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| RB B. Robinson Jr, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | T I. Ekwonu, elbow; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| WR N. Brown, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | OLB M. Haynes Sr., back; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| S P. Butler, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | WR D. Moore, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| CB E. Forbes Jr., thumb; Wed: FP; Thurs; FP; Fri: FP | DE L. May, ankle/knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| LB J. Magee, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: Q | S N. Scott, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP |
| DT D. Payne, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | TE I. Thomas, hip; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| DT J. Crumedy, ankle; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: D | |
| S S. Franklin Jr., foot; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: D | |
| CB D. Jackson, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: Q | |
| T Y. Nijman, knee; Wed: NL; Thurs: FP; Fri: LP; game: Q | |
| C A. Raym, concussion; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| TE T. Tremble, concussion; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: DNP; game: Q |
Steve’s Prediction
The Panthers aren’t a good team and Washington should win this game by a comfortable margin. Washington wins 38 – 17.