5 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders' triumph vs. Panthers in Week 7
By Dean Jones
The Washington Commanders were heavily favored to get their campaign back on track at home to the Carolina Panthers. It was a mission they accomplished with minimal fuss on a day of nostalgia and celebration at Northwest Stadium.
Legendary cornerback Darrell Green had his No. 28 retired at long last. The Commanders honored his legacy with another ruthlessly efficient display versus one of the league's bottom feeders. Carolina is under-strength and a bad football team devoid of confidence, but the way Washington is disposing of inferior opposition is immensely encouraging.
There was one concern centered on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' rib injury. Aside from that, there weren't many holes to pick. Something that head coach Dan Quinn will be looking to build upon next weekend with another home contest against the Chicago Bears.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five winners and two losers from Washington's convincing triumph over the Panthers in Week 7.
Winners and losers from Commanders' triumph in Week 7
Winner No. 1
Commanders rushing attack
Getting Brian Robinson Jr. back into the lineup was a major boost for the Washington Commanders. Kliff Kingsbury relied on the run a little more once Jayden Daniels went to the sidelines, which was the right call looking at the current state of Carolina's defensive front seven.
Daniels got the ball rolling with a 46-yard run right out of the gate. Once the signal-caller went out, Washington's committee approach in the backfield dictated proceedings and had their way with the Panthers behind another exceptional effort from the offensive line.
The Commanders gashed the Panthers for 214 yards on the ground at 5.8 yards per carry. Robinson found his way into the end zone during his 17 touches. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols also contributed, which is a formula Kingsbury should hang his hat on if the No. 2 pick out of LSU cannot suit up next weekend.
Washington found the right blend in the running back room this offseason. Everything is going according to plan so far, but some adjustments are needed if Daniels' rib injury forces him to miss time.