Week 12 Game Recap: Carolina Panthers 13, Washington Redskins 17

What you need to know

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers took the lead into halftime at 6-3 behind two field goals from K John Kasay. While QB Jake Delhomme struggled in the first half, RB DeAngelo Williams totaled 50 yards in the half and the Carolina rushing game was on a roll.

The second half was filled with more mediocre play offensively from the Panthers, as the passing game continued to struggle and the rushing game was held in check. Williams finished with only 13 rushing yards in the second half, and while Delhomme was able to find WR Steve Smith with an eight yard score, he finished with just 168 passing yards and was intercepted for the second time late in the fourth quarter to put any comeback thoughts to rest.

Defensively, Carolina struggled to slow down the Washington rushing attack, as RB Ladell Betts reached the century mark with 104 yards on 24 carries. They held the Redskins to a net of 110 passing yards, but gave up scores through the air to WR Antwaan Randle El and TE Chris Cooley. The Cooley score came in the fourth quarter on a 66 yard catch and run, and proved to be the game-winning score.

Washington Redskins

Washington trailed 6-3 going into the half, but used second half passing scores from QB Jason Campbell to WR Antwaan Randle El and TE Chris Cooley along with a fired up defense to earn the victory.

Ladell Betts helped ease the pressure on his young quarterback by giving some stability to the offense in the running game, rushing for 104 yards.

The Redskins’ defense showed up for this game in a big way, and was well prepared for the Panthers offense. The secondary, in particular, seemed like they knew every move the Carolina receivers were going to make, and held their coverage well and did not fall for double moves. As a result, the Panthers’ wideouts failed to make the big plays downfield that they are accustomed to. That effort in the pass defense, as well as their halftime adjustments in stopping the Carolina rushing attack, helped propel the Redskins to the win.

What you ought to know

QB Jake Delhomme, Pass: 23 - 38 - 168 - 1 TD / 2 INT

Delhomme faced a lot of pressure from a hungry Washington defense, and his numbers showed just how much. He was able to complete 23 of 38 pass attempts, but managed only 168 yards passing. Most of his completions came in short range, as the Carolina receivers could not find much open space deep in the Redskins’ secondary. His long completion for the game was 19 yards, and he was intercepted twice. Delhomme connected with WR Steve Smith from eight yards out for his only score of the game, but his comeback attempt ended when he was intercepted on a deep pass intended for Smith with a minute left in the game. Delhomme was hit as he threw the ball deep into heavy coverage, and the ball was picked off at the five yard line, ending Carolina’s chances.

RB DeAngelo Williams, Rush: 17 - 63 - 0, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (3 targets)

Williams made the start filling in for the injured Foster, and while he failed to duplicate the numbers he put up last week, he held his own against an inspired Redskins defense. For the game, Williams rushed the ball 17 times for 63 yards, and caught three passes for 23 yards. He showed his burst through the hole on a 28 yard run, his longest of the game. Keep an eye on the backfield situation in Carolina next week.

RB Brad Hoover, Rush: 3 - 7 - 0, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (5 targets)

Hoover was given some work rushing and receiving, finishing with three carries for seven yards on the ground as well as three receptions for 23 yards.

RB Nick Goings, Rush: 2 - 11 - 0, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets)

Goings was used as a change of pace back, carrying the ball twice for 11 yards and catching two balls for 17 yards.

RB Eric Shelton, Rush: 2 - 16 - 0

Shelton carried the ball twice for 16 yards.

RB DeShaun Foster

Foster was deactivated for the game with an elbow injury. It was noted at the beginning of the game that Coach Fox stated he could have played if it were a playoff game, but he thought they would be able to manage with Williams handling the running duties.

WR Keyshawn Johnson, Rec: 6 - 38 - 0 (11 targets)

Johnson was the most targeted Panther receiver, with 11 for the game. He hauled in six of those for a mere 38 yards. While unable to get much going downfield, Johnson made a few impressive catches along the sidelines and brought down three receptions resulting in first downs.

WR Steve Smith, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 5 - 34 - 1 (10 targets)

Smith and the Carolina passing game as a whole, struggled to find much open space in the Washington secondary. Smith was targeted ten times and finished with five receptions for 34 yards, including a nice touchdown reception in the back of the end zone from eight yards out. The play was challenged by Washington and upheld. Smith also ran the ball once, for a four yard gain. Smith made the most out of a play that should have resulted in a loss to pick up the four yards.

WR Drew Carter, Rec: 3 - 14 - 0 (7 targets)

Carter was targeted seven times in the game, catching three passes for 14 yards.

TE Kris Mangum, Rec: 1 - 19 - 0 (1 targets)

Mangum caught the only ball thrown to him for a 19 yard gain.

PK John Kasay 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Kasay was his steady self, connecting on field goal attempts from 42 and 51 yards out. The latter came as time expired before halftime, giving Carolina the lead at 6-3.

CAR Rush Defense

The Panthers' rush defense gave up 143 yards on the ground, including 104 to RB Ladell Betts, and gave up ten rushing first downs. They were unable to stuff the run and make the Redskins beat them through the air with their young quarterback, and their inability to stop the run played a big part in them losing the game.

LB Chris Draft had seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, and fellow LB Thomas Davis totaled six tackles and one assist.

CAR Pass Defense

Carolina held the Redskins to 110 net passing yards for the game, and held them to four of 15 on third downs, but gave up two scores through the air, including the late score to Cooley that proved to be the difference. They did produce an interception, but their talented front seven produced only one sack.

DB Richard Marshall totaled four tackles, one interception and a forced fumble to lead the way statistically for the Panthers’ defensive backfield.

QB Jason Campbell, Pass: 11 - 23 - 118 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 7 - 0

Campbell did not put up big numbers for the Redskins, but did enough to help his team win, finishing 11 of 23 for 118 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Campbell connected with WR Antwaan Randle El from four yards out in the third quarter, and hit TE Chris Cooley on a medium pass play the Cooley turned into a 66 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

RB Ladell Betts, Rush: 24 - 104 - 0, Rec: 2 - 4 - 0 (2 targets)

Betts had a solid game, rushing 24 times for 104 yards and catching two balls for four yards. He showed the quickness and explosiveness that Washington likes so much, and helped take some pressure off of the young QB Campbell.

RB T.J. Duckett, Rush: 7 - 24 - 0

Duckett was not a big factor in the game, rushing the ball seven times for 24 yards.

RB Clinton Portis

Portis, who was placed on injured reserve last week with a hand injury, is out for the remainder of the season.

WR Santana Moss, Rec: 3 - 12 - 0 (7 targets)

Moss was thrown to seven times, but was able to bring down only three balls for 12 yards. He seemed to move well enough and wasn’t hampered by his past hamstring issues.

WR Antwaan Randle El, Rush: 1 - -5 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 1 (2 targets)

Randle El caught one of the two passes thrown his way for a four yard touchdown, and ran the ball one time for a five yard loss. He was also a non-factor in the punt return game, with only 13 yards on five returns.

WR Brandon Lloyd, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (4 targets)

Lloyd caught just one pass for eight yards and was targeted four times.

TE Chris Cooley, Rec: 3 - 89 - 1 (8 targets)

Cooley was the most targeted Washington receiver, with eight, and was able to haul in three balls for 89 yards, including a 66 yard touchdown reception that proved to be the game winner. As with most young quarterbacks, Cooley seems to be Campbell’s favorite target.

PK Nick Novak 1 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Novak missed a 37 yard attempt and connected on another from 42 yards out. He also made good on both of his pat attempts to finish with five points.

WAS Rush Defense

The Washington defense was fired up for this game, and it showed in their efforts in this game against Carolina. While they gave up 101 yards on the ground, on 25 carries, they were able to limit the big plays Carolina had in both phases of the game, and they gave up only five rushing first downs and no rushing scores for the contest.

LB Marcus Washington led the way in stopping the run, with five tackles and also helped out in the pass rush with two sacks.

WAS Pass Defense

The Redskins put the clamps on the Carolina passing game and limited the plays downfield for the Panthers’ wideouts. Explosive WR Steve Smith was held to 34 yards on five catches, and while he did score on an eight yard reception, was bottled up for most of the game. The Washington secondary did an exceptional job on third downs, holding Carolina to six of 16 on third down conversions, and while they had only one sack for the game, put enough pressure on Delhomme to keep Carolina’s passing numbers down.

DB Carlos Rogers had six tackles and fellow DB’s Sean Taylor and Vernon Fox each had interceptions.