The reunion between the Carolina Panthers and Josh Norman wasn’t as fiery as some might have expected. Norman appeared cool with his former Panther teammates, as they handled Washington on the road, 26-15.
Panthers vs. Washington 2016 final score: Cam Newton and Carolina get best of Josh Norman in reunion
Newton had a good showing in Washington.
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The first four drives of the game resulted in a field goal and a punt for both teams, giving us a 3-3 game midway through the first quarter. Then, Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart led the Panthers down the field that concluded with a Ted Ginn Jr. 30-yard receiving touchdown.
The Panthers led, 10-3, at the end of the first quarter, picking off Kirk Cousins towards the end of the quarter. Carolina was only able to get a field goal out of the ensuing drive, giving themselves a 13-3 lead after a 23-yarder by Graham Gano.
On the Panthers’ next drive, Newton was running towards the sideline, and slid, but was hit in the head by Trent Murphy. Murphy was not flagged on the play, but Newton was after he threw the ball at Murphy for the hit.
Carolina was forced to punt after that play, and Washington would get themselves back into the game before halftime. They were finally able to move the offense in chunks, with Cousins completing passes to Pierre Garcon and Rob Kelley for 20, 17, and 22 yards. Kelley eventually capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run to make it 13-9.
On the first play of the second half, Cousins was sacked, and fumbled the ball after starting on their own 17-yard line. Carolina recovered the fumble at the Washington five-yard line, with Mike Tolbert scoring two plays later.
A few possessions later, Gano would further extend the Panthers’ lead, 23-9.
The following possession would be the most heated we saw the game get all night. Jordan Reed was blocking during a Kelley rush, and became frustrated while engaged with Panthers safety Kurt Coleman. Reed would not let go of Coleman, who then shoved Reed’s arm out of the way.
Reed, who was frustrated earlier by what he felt was a cheap shot from Carolina’s Tre Boston, went back at Coleman and punched him in the helmet. Reed was ejected from the game as a result.
Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins would get his team on the board with a 26-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter after Jay Gruden’s team was unable to capitalize on good field position. They trailed, 23-12, with just over 14 minutes to go.
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The Panthers appeared to be going on a drive that could take significant time off of the clock, but ended up having to send Gano out for yet another field goal. This time, he missed wide left on a 38-yarder, and Washington took back over with five and a half minutes remaining.
Washington was once again moving the ball, but the drive stalled once they crossed the 50, and had to rely on the foot of Hopkins yet again. They trimmed the lead to 23-15 with 3:44 left in the game, and kicked it deep.
The Panthers got the game to the 2-minute warning before running a third down play that went for no gain. On fourth down, Gano knocked in a 41-yard attempt to make it a 26-15 game, effectively sealing the victory for the Panthers.
Newton finished the game 21-of-37 for 300 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Stewart contributed a big game on the ground with 25 carries and 132 yards. The Panthers are now 6-8 on the season, with the slimmest of playoff hopes remaining.
Washington moves to 7-6-1 on the season, and will need a pair of wins if they want to be able to secure the NFC’s final playoff spot. They will go to Chicago next, and welcome the New York Giants at home in Week 17.
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