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Redskins vs. Panthers: 5 keys to victory in Washington’s Week 6 matchup

By Kyle Hundley

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins takes the field for warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins takes the field for warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game 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: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

In a match-up between two NFC foes, The Washington Redskins play host to the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field.

Coming off a poor Monday Night Performance in New Orleans and a short week, the Redskins are at home this week against the 3-1 Carolina Panthers. The Redskins are sitting at just 2-2, but they are still right in the mix in a down NFC East. The division is there for the taking and if they want to win it this year, they must take care of business at home.

The Redskins have been one of the worst teams in the NFL at home since FedEx Field opened in 1997. Good teams always take care of business at home and this is a game the Redskins must win if they want to get their season back on track before it’s too late. If they hope to keep pace in the division and win this Sunday afternoon, here are the five keys to success.

1. Redskins must establish the run early

A quarter of the way through the season, it is no secret that the Redskins must establish the run if they hope to win the game. In both their wins, the Redskins got the ball to Adrian Peterson often and got him going. Peterson carried 19 times in the Packers win and 26 times in the opener against the Cardinals. In the Redskins loses, Peterson had 11 carries for 20 yards against the Colts and just 4 carries for 6 yards against the Saints before eventually leaving with a dislocated shoulder. While he is not expected to miss time, expect him to be limited coming off a short week.

It is vital the Redskins get the running game established so they can get the play-action pass going. This Redskins team is not built like a lot of the other NFL teams; its weapons are at tight end, running back, and in the slot. They don’t have a lot of weapons on the outside at receiver.

Because of this, it makes it tough to sit back and throw it every down. Alex Smith is a good quarterback, but he is not elite and does have his limitations. Establishing the run makes it harder for the defense sit back and make Smith check it down underneath.

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