Redskins dominate second half, edge out the Panthers 29-21

The Redskins have won two consecutive games for the first time since October of 2018.

The Washington Redskins came into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers as heavy underdogs. The Panthers, sitting at 5-6, were fringe playoff competitors, and they had one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive talents in Christian McCaffrey.

So naturally, the Redskins held McCaffrey out of the end zone, and harassed the Panthers on both sides of the football, en route to a 29-21 victory.

For the first time this season, the Redskins rebounded from a slow start and dominated the second phase of the game. After the Panthers got out to a quick 14-0 start, the Redskins outscored the Panthers 29-0 over the ensuing three quarters, before the Panthers would score one more touchdown late in the fourth.

The headline of the day? Pressure. Washington accumulated seven total sacks on defense, and Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen couldn’t get comfortable all day. The pressure kept McCaffrey in the backfield as a blocker, and prevented the Panthers from sustaining any offensive momentum.

On offense, Dwayne Haskins put together a respectable outing, but his rushing attack made it easy on him. Derrius Guice rumbled for 10 carries, 129 yards, and two scores, while Adrian Peterson also added almost a hundred yards and a score.

The growth in the team’s young core is clear now; the offensive cast is slowly meshing, while the defense, for the first time all season, managed to effectively adjust mid-game. The Redskins are now 3-9, and they’re beginning to transcend from their previously sorrowful state.

That said, it’s worth wondering if winning is the best thing for the Redskins. It’s good to see growth such as this, but Bruce Allen was said to be under evaluation by Dan Snyder. If Snyder can find an excuse to keep Allen aboard, he likely will, and this winning streak, albeit small and unsustainable, might just be enough.

For now, however, mass speculation might not be appropriate. The Redskins are riding high, and the honeymoon period can at least last until tomorrow. Washington is victorious, and they’ll take their streak to the mighty Packers next week.