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Redskins vs. Panthers: Week 6 offense and defense matchups, score prediction

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Redskins defense vs. Panthers offense

If the Panthers have a slight advantage on the defensive side of their ball, the same can be said of the Redskins. Their matchup with Carolina is fairly solid, and they should have a chance to contain the Panthers provided that they don’t have a ridiculous amount of blunders as they did last week against the season.

The biggest area that the Redskins have the advantage in is on the defensive line. The Panthers sport a banged-up offensive line, and they will have trouble dealing with guys like Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Matt Ioannidis. Though Cam Newton isn’t easy to pressure because of his size and scrambling ability, it could have an impact on him and the run game.

The Redskins need to focus on winning the battle in the trenches after being largely crushed there last week by the Saints. Their goal should be to slow down Christian McCaffrey and the run game to really make the Panthers rely on their passing game and become one-dimensional. That won’t be easy, but if they can do that, it would be a huge step towards securing victory.

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In coverage, the Redskins should be in decent shape. Josh Norman has struggled lately, but he may be out to prove a point against his former team and show that he still has a lot left in the tank. Quinton Dunbar has been quietly excellent this season, and he should have a chance to completely neutralize whichever receiver he matches up with.

It also helps the Redskins cause that the Panthers don’t have a great receiving corps. TE Greg Olsen is possibly returning, but he may not be 100 percent healthy. Elsewhere, Devin Funchess, first-round rookie D.J. Moore, and Curtis Samuel have all been hit or miss this year, so the ‘Skins shouldn’t have a problem containing them.

At the end of the day, seeing the Redskins hold the Panthers offense to about 20 points wouldn’t be a surprise. And if that happens, it would put the team in position to notch a victory.

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