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KICKOFF: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, FedExField, Landover, Md. TV: ESPN, Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters. SERIES HISTORY: 13th regular-season meeting. Redskins lead series, 7-5. The Panthers, who lost the first six meetings, have won the past four. Washington's last win in the series came in 2006.
Carolina Panthers (5-8) at Washington Redskins (7-5-1)
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GAMEDATE: 12/18/16
KEYS TO THE GAME:
The Redskins' running game has been better of late, but the Panthers should be able to limit that. Linebacker Luke Kuechly was cleared from the NFL concussion protocol Saturday, but it's uncertain if he will play. Their main concern is limiting big plays by the weapons QB Kirk Cousins has at his disposal. Except for a Week 13 implosion in Seattle, the Panthers' defense has solidified after struggling through the first half of the season. But the Redskins have the potential to expose even the most veteran of secondaries, which the Panthers certainly are not. Rookie CBs James Bradberry and Daryl Worley need to keep everything in front of them, and S Tre Boston has to be there to help if and when WRs DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder go vertical.
Offensively, QB Cam Newton has been struggling with his accuracy, and he shouldn't try to figure it out by challenging former teammate Josh Norman. The Redskins aren't great stopping the run or pass, but they're fourth in sacks. That means it'd be best for Carolina to establish a ground game early and then blunt the pass rush with play-action.
Washington's game plan shouldn't be much different than it was against the Green Bay Packers in a prime-time game last month. Kirk Cousins threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns that night. He will face a Carolina cornerback group that starts two rookies and is desperately missing Norman.
The Redskins' defense always struggles to contain tight ends, and Greg Olsen is one of the best (907 receiving yards). Newton (317 rushing yards) is the team's second-leading rusher and Washington's injuries at linebacker (Will Compton and Su'a Cravens) make containing Newton more of a challenge.
Kelvin Benjamin has been a weapon for Newton since returning from injury (51 receptions, five touchdowns). But when Newton has been forced to throw, he has not played as he did in 2015. His offensive line is also a mess, with 29 sacks allowed.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman. Before Benjamin tore his ACL, he and Norman had some epic training camp battles in 2015. Norman won't be scared just because he's giving up five inches.
--Redskins LG Arie Kouandjio vs. Panthers DT Kawann Short. Kouandjio held up reasonably well last week in his second career start. But the Panthers, like the Eagles, will attack him on the interior. He is still playing for an injured Shawn Lauvao (groin). Short has 44 tackles and will make life difficult for the Washington running game. He also has five sacks.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Redskins LB Martrell Spaight. The second-year pro will take over for injured linebacker Will Compton, who suffered a strained PCL in his right knee last week against Philadelphia. That leaves most of the defensive communications to Spaight, who missed 15 games as a rookie (concussion).
SATURDAY INJURY REPORT:
CAROLINA PANTHERS
--Out: DE Charles Johnson (hamstring), T Daryl Williams (ankle)
--Questionable: WR Kelvin Benjamin (back), LB Luke Kuechly (concussion), LB David Mayo (concussion), QB Cam Newton (right shoulder)
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
--Out: S Su'a Cravens (upper arm, illness)
--Doubtful: LB Will Compton (knee)
--Questionable: DE Chris Baker (ankle), S Will Blackmon (concussion, thumb), RB Mack Brown (concussion), LB Ryan Kerrigan (knee), G Shawn Lauvao (groin), C Spencer Long (concussion, stinger), T Ty Nsekhe (ankle), TE Jordan Reed (shoulder, illness), LB Martrell Spaight (shoulder), C John Sullivan (illness)
FAST FACTS:
Panthers QB Cam Newton has 703 passing yards, seven TDs and no interceptions in three career meetings. He has 22 TDs (18 passing) in his past nine road games.
Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart has scored four times in his past four road games.
Since 2013, Carolina TE Greg Olsen leads NFL tight ends with 299 receptions and 3,835 yards. He has 431 yards and two TDs in his past four Monday night games.
Redskins QB Kirk Cousins is third in the NFL with 4,045 passing yards and second with 334 completions. He has 1,083 yards with 10 TDs and two interceptions (a 113.7 rating) in his past four home games.
Redskins RB Robert Kelley ranks third among NFL rookies with 587 rushing yards. He has four rushing scores in the last four games.
Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan has eight sacks and two forced fumbles in his past eight home games.
PREDICTION:
Cousins and the big-play Redskins should be able to take advantage of Carolina's secondary and stay in the wild-card hunt.
OUR PICK: Redskins, 34-24.
