Redskins Shaken, Stirred By Carolina Panthers

Lose 20-33 to team with rookie quarterback.

The Carolina Panthers get their second win of the season in six weeks and it's against the Washington Redskins. Seemingly true to form, the Skins fall to a team who isn't much better than they are.

Cam Newton eludes Ryan Kerrigan. Photo Aaron J. for DC UrbanSports.

Neither Washington nor Carolina played well, and both teams relied on field goals to get on the board early in game.

Carolina's Olindo Mare gave his team a 3-0 lead against the Skins with a 20 yard field goal in the first quarter. Kicker Graham Gano, continuing his near perfect record, responded in the second quarter with a 31 yard FG to tie the game, 3-3.

This back and forth field goal dance would continue throughout the second quarter, ending in a Panther 9-6 lead, until rookie Carolina quarterback, Cam Newton would take the ball 16 yards in for Carolina touch down.

Washington, again responded in like form when John Beck ran for a four yard, third quarter, touch down. (It would take Washington that long to score a touchdown).

The team's second touchdown of the game came from a Beck seven yard pass to Fred Davis in the fourth.

John Beck carries the ball in for a four yard TD. Photo Aaron J. for DC UrbanSports.

Beck, seemingly fared well his first time out since having played professionally since 1997. (That's 14 years ago). He was promoted after Rex Grossman was benched in Week 6 amid four interceptions against Philadelphia.

Coach Shanahan remarked that he was pleased with Beck's performance his first time out.

"I think John overall played very well", said Shanahan.

On the day, Beck threw one interception and passed for 279 yards, surpassing Newton.

Skins' London Fletcher - doing a job on Carolina's Stewart. Photo Aaron J. for DC UrbanSports.

The not-so-great 1-5 Carolina team did a bang up job on the Redskins' most dependable players. Receiver Santana Moss broke a finger in his left hand (surgery expected today) and the rarely, if ever, hurt defensive lineman London Fletcher was out of the game with a hamstring injury. Running back Tim Hightower , who had 88 yards on the day, was sidelined with a torn ACL that could leave him watching from the sidelines for the rest of the year.

Adding more 'injury' to injury Rex Grossman was stricken, before game time, with pneumonia.

The Bye Week came two weeks, too early.

Cam Newton, despite having a stellar day, threw for just 256 yards where in previous games the rookie would have thrown for almost twice that much.

Should the Redskins defense take the credit?

What the Redskins can take credit for is losing to a team with a 1-5 record.

Players told us last week, after the loss to the then 1-4 Philadelphia Eagles, that they don't look at an opponent's record to determine whether or not they should, or shouldn't win games.

They also told us is that in order to win "you have to put four quarters together."

Apparently, that didn't happen this week either.

So, the question remains. With two weeks of not putting four quarters together, when will the Redskins put four quarters together to win another game? Will they be able to do so now with the bulk of their star players out with injuries (Fletcher, Moss, Hightower, Cooley) and player(s) aptitude in question?

The Redskins have a new coach and new players this season, but their performances are still on the margin.

Everybody's asking: Why can't this team get right?

Dare I say it. Dare I say it!

It's the coaching. We need better coaching. (Again)

Related
Game day photos here.

This Just In: Injury Report Update
We got word from Redskins Park regarding the injuries to the following players:

*Hightower (torn ACL): out 4 season (we knew that).

*Santana (broken finger): Had surgery (three pins put in his index finger)out five to seven weeks. (we suspected that)

*Fletcher (hamstring): Coach doesn't know the seriousness yet. Will update on Wednesday.

*Grossman (pneumonia): To remain in hospital for another 48 hours.

Video: Cam Newton At the White House

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