Redskins fall apart against Panthers

October 12, 11:01 AMWashington Redskins ExaminerMark Newgent

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(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

The Redskins appeared on their way to once again winning ugly, and given the soap opera-like dramatics earlier in the week, a road win, no matter how ugly, would have been a welcome development. However, a 15-point, third quarter lead (the largest of Jim Zorn’s tenure) was not enough to hold off the previously winless Carolina Panthers. Carolina reeled off 18 unanswered points for a 20-17 victory, and for the second time in three games the Redskins lost to a previously winless opponent.

The Redskins took a 17-2 lead in the third quarter on Clinton Portis’ one-yard touchdown run ,set up by DeAngelo Hall’s 44-yard interception return. That was the high water mark. The defense, which had stymied Carolina’s offense for most of the game failed to stop the Panthers when it mattered. Kenny Moore returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards, and four plays later Jeff King beat Brian Orakpo to haul in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme. A John Kasay field goal made the score 17-12. The Redskins went three and out, but the defense forced the Panthers to punt. On the punt a Carolina player pushed Byron Westbrook into Antwaan Randle El, the ball bounced off Westbrook’s foot and Carolina recovered. Jim Zorn challenged the call but lost, forfeiting the Redskins second time out. Two plays later Jonathan Stewart scored on an eight-yard touchdown run and Delhomme hit Steve Smith for the two-point conversion for the 20-17 lead.

The Redskins were forced to punt on their next series. Jason Campbell burned the final timeout on first down and Devin Thomas missed a perfect pass from Campbell, which could have set up a tying field goal. Carolina took over with 5:16 left, and converted two third downs. The last conversion, a nine-yard Jake Delhomme scramble on third and eight, sealed the deal. The Panthers line went left and Delhomme ran right, Hall lost containment and made a poor attempt on the tackle.

I'm running out of adjectives to describe the anemia of this flaccidly, feeble offense. Sure they scored two red zone touchdowns, but the defense set them up at the Carolina 13 and one-yard lines respectively—the proverbial short field we heard so much about from March through August. Against the worst run defense in the league the Redskins managed just 74 yards, Clinton Portis rushed for 57 yards on 19 carries. The failure to adequately address the offensive line came home to roost as well. D’Anthony Batiste replaced left tackle Chris Samuels after the Pro-Bowler left game with a shoulder stinger on the Redskins second possession, and Mike Williams started for an injured Chad Rinehart. Those injuries served to jump start a moribund Carolina pass rush. The Panthers sacked Campbell five times bottled Portis. Julius Peppers, who had been under a lot of criticism from Panthers fans and media for a lack of production, had two sacks. Squeaking out a meager 198 yards of offense against a middling defense won’t protect any lead your defense hands you.

The defense played great for most of three quarters—generating two turnovers. However, they again failed to get off the field when it mattered. Poor tackling and bad angles plague this group.

The state of the offensive line isn’t Jim Zorn’s fault, and neither is poor tackling by the defense (I’m looking at you @DHall23) however poor play calling and time management is, and Zorn was horrid on Sunday. A stretch-run on second and 8 from your own three-yard line! You deserve a safety for that call. I understand the muffed punt play was bizarre, but the rule is clear and so was the replay. Westbrook was engaged with the Carolina player and the ball clearly caromed off his foot. You don’t challenge that call.

Up Next: another winless team the 0-5 Kansas City Chiefs.