Washington Redskins week-by-week season prediction
By Ian Cummings
Week 6 – Redskins vs. Panthers
Going into this matchup, there are a few things we know for sure.
We know that Cam Newton is a competent starting quarterback who, more often than not, lacks consistency with his accuracy. We know that when Newton struggles, the Panthers’ front seven is usually there to back him up, although the secondary is still a concern. And we know that Newton hasn’t had a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball. After picking D.J. Moore in Round 1, the Panthers plan to change that.
In addition to drafting Moore, the Panthers also matched Newton with a new offensive coordinator: Norv Turner. Turner will be tasked with taking all of these pieces, and implementing them in a scheme that plays to Newton’s strengths. Can he do it? Yes. He’s done it with quarterbacks of Newton’s caliber before. But how quickly will all the pieces mesh.
For my money, the Panthers’ young, ever-changing offense, with an average offensive line, will still be having growing pains by Week 6.
Granted, the Redskins’ offense will likely take time to find cohesion as well, but Alex Smith has a few years on Newton, and his coordinator, Jay Gruden, has been in the same spot for almost five years. The Redskins offense will have more polish in this matchup, and the defense will be able to keep Newton’s outrageous in check for one week.