The Washington Redskins defeated the Carolina Panthers, 23-17, at FedEx Field and in front of their largest and loudest home crowd of the 2018 season so far.
The much-needed win improved the Redskins record to 3-2 and keeps them in sole possession of first place in the NFC East division. Washington has now posted 3-2 marks to start the season for a third consecutive campaign.
The Redskins had to put together one last defensive stand against the Panthers to preserve victory from the jaws of defeat. At times in the game, the Burgundy and Gold flashed brilliance.
Here are four things we learned about the Redskins in the win:
1. Running the football is the recipe for success
It’s no secret that when the Redskins run the ball over 100 yards they usually come out on top in the win column. Coach Jay Gruden is now 28-10-1 when his offense rushes for over 100 yards in a game.
I completely understand that the #Redskins offense is moving the ball and have put up two TD's on the Panthers defense, but I hope Gruden doesn't get comfortable only passing the ball. He has to run the ball more.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 14, 2018
Yesterday, the Redskins were without the services of versatile running back Chris Thompson which put more of a workload on veteran Adrian Peterson and the 12 year veteran from Oklahoma didn’t disappoint. On the day Peterson rushed for 97 yards on 17 attempts. His 5.7 yards per carry average was his best of the season and could not have come at a better time.
It’s safe to say that Peterson doesn’t play like a man his age and has given the Redskins run game an elite boost.
2. Washington has in-house leaders in the locker room and on the field
In year’ past, the Redskins would find ways to lose games they were favored in and win games where they were seen as big underdogs.
Yesterday the Redskins came in against a playoff caliber Carolina Panthers team as underdogs. As they have shown all year, they will not lose two in a row but they have also not won two in a row as of yet.
The difference could be in the in-house leadership the Redskins have and their examples are rubbing off on some of the team’s younger players.
Safety D.J. Swearinger brings an edginess and braggadocio about himself that the young players are feeding off.
After the game, the veteran player from South Carolina talked about how the team can’t laugh at this weeks practice and must stay serious throughout the season despite winning.
D.J. Swearinger on #Redskins win over Panthers, trash talk and Sean Taylor. #NFL pic.twitter.com/aN5KHukaNs
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 14, 2018
Secondary mate Josh Norman played his best game in two seasons, ironically against his former team. The Pro Bowl CB had an INT and a forced fumble. Norman needed this game as he was starting to be questioned about his impact on the Redskins.
Norman called for a defensive meeting last week to get everyone on the same page and practice better despite being attacked by some for his play. That in itself showed leadership.
“It was great – practice was awesome,” Norman said. “I talked to my guys – my defensive guys, the secondary – and I
wanted them to know that everything we do, we do it as a unit, as a group. Regardless of what the outside
noise, outside of us, we got to come together. And we got to come together now. This is the time where men are made to be great. And we have the opportunity to be great because we have guys in that room that can do it, we showed it week in and week out. And now we got to man up and it starts with me. It starts with me and what we do and how we do it and how we lead those guys. They all buying in and I just want to see them succeed so bad now. And the things that we went through I can share with them and they can share with me. We can all communicate and be on the same level. And that’s what we had conversations about – nothing more than that and nothing less. That was pretty much the point.”
Quarterback Alex Smith and Peterson are leaders by example in their preparation and willingness to do the little things that winning teams need and they both proved that on the field yesterday. Smith threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter of yesterday’s win and didn’t turn the ball over.
One of the reasons the #Redskins traded for Alex Smith was his professionalism and leadership. He answered all of the tough questions from Monday nights loss and today so far has rebounded with two 1st qtr TD passes.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 14, 2018
If the Redskins are going to make a playoff run they will need for their veteran leaders to lead the way.
3. The Redskins possess resiliency
As Swearinger said, the Redskins must not get comfortable with wins but have a mindset where they expect to win. Washington has shown to have huge letdowns after big wins. They have also proven that they are a resilient bunch that’s looking to win two in a row for the first time this season.
Will they change that theme when their divisional rival, the Dallas Cowboys come to town on Sunday in an all-important NFC East showdown?
Washington’s defense showed grittiness in delivering the victory when it looked as if Cam Newton and the Panthers would steal a victory.
4. Big wins over NFC opponents could loom large in the playoff picture
The Redskins have important NFC wins that could play a large part in the final conference playoff race.
The Redskins have wins over Green Bay and now Carolina which would bode well for them if tiebreakers and head-to-head matchups need to be calculated in a playoff race.
#Redskins hold on and get a big 23-17 win over the Panthers. Redskins record now stands at 3-2 and the Panthers drop to 3-2. This win could play a big role in NFC playoff ramifications later in the season.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 14, 2018
This weekend’s game against Dallas is equally important within the division and now the NFC conference.