6. Carolina-Washington has major implications
Until the Philadelphia Eagles won on Thursday Night Football, there wasn’t a team in the NFC East with a positive point differential. That includes the 2-2 Washington Redskins, who have been a moderate surprise to this point.
Coming off a primetime spanking against the New Orleans Saints, the Redskins will be hosting the Carolina Panthers in an uncommon early afternoon NFC game. Washington was ambushed on the road as Drew Brees and his deep group of weapons had the momentum in the dome.
Alex Smith and the Redskins secondary will be challenged against a similarly-talented NFC South with Carolina.
The Panthers are a solid team and have a good chance to win the Wild Card if they continue. Norv Turner has been an excellent fit with Cam Newton despite the average offensive line and young playmakers. They’ll test Washington’s secondary like the Saints did with vertical passing concepts.
Rookie cornerback Donte Jackson has been a stud across from veteran James Bradberry in the secondary, and the addition of Eric Reid raised the ceiling and versatility of the Panthers’ defense.
Smith and the Redskins offense will have to prove their performances against Arizona and Green Bay weren’t flukes. They’ve been shut down too easily by Indianapolis and New Orleans to have faith they’ll rip off enough chunk plays to sustain drives.
I’m still skeptical about the Jay Gruden-Smith marriage, and Adrian Peterson hasn’t been good-enough behind their mediocre run-blocking line in three of four games for me to change my prediction on this one.
Prediction: Panthers 35-27