5 bold Washington Commanders predictions vs. the Panthers in Week 7
By Dean Jones
The Washington Commanders came out of their Week 6 loss at the Baltimore Ravens with credit. That will count for nothing if they cannot dispose of the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
Dan Quinn's men need to keep their foot on the throttle. They cannot afford to get into a slump with increased expectations on their shoulders. There needs to be the same sense of professionalism and collective purpose that became the catalyst for a four-game winning run before coming up versus the Ravens juggernaut. Anything else won't be accepted by the coaching staff.
The Panthers are vulnerable at 1-5. However, they cannot be taken lightly. This bears more significance when one considers the strides made by some of their rookie class and the offense overall since Andy Dalton became the starting quarterback over Bryce Young.
No game is a gimme in the NFL. Every win must be earned and every opponent must be treated with the same respect. That's the message Quinn continues to preach, which should keep complications to a minimum against one of the league's bottom feeders.
With this in mind, here are five bold predictions for the Commanders in Week 7 at Northwest Stadium.
Bold Commanders predictions in Week 7 vs. the Panthers
Daron Payne gains 3+ tackles for loss
If the Washington Commanders want to reach the postseason and potentially win the NFC East in 2024, they'll have to do it without one of their defensive lynchpins. Losing Jonathan Allen to a season-ending torn pectoral represents a blow. They have Johnny Newton and Phidiarian Mathis to pick up the slack, but the former first-round pick's absence will be sorely felt nonetheless.
This is the time for Daron Payne to step up and remind the world why the Commanders gave him a lucrative contract extension after his Pro Bowl campaign in 2022. He's not been at his best since then, which cannot continue if this defense wants to stand any chance of making strides.
He is the senior member of Washington's defensive tackle room without Allen. Payne needs to rise and become the alpha this team needs. A stern challenge awaits the Alabama product this weekend versus the Carolina Panthers' outstanding offensive line.
Payne has yet to record a tackle for loss this season, which is astonishing for someone with such outstanding physical attributes. It won't be easy against the likes of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, but it has to change this weekend.