Carolina heads to the nation’s capital in Week Seven for the first time since Week 16 of the 2020 season to take on the Washington Commanders. This marks the Panthers first of four total matchups against NFC East opponents this season. Carolina has won three of the last four matchups against the Commanders in Washington dating back to 2012.
All-time, this will mark the 18th regular-season matchup between the two teams with Washington leading 10-7. The Commanders have a slight advantage (6-3) in games played in Washington. The two teams last squared off in Week 11 of the
2021 season, as the Commanders were victorious in Bank of America Stadium, 27-21.
Carolina enters the contest with a 1-5 record after falling to the Atlanta Falcons at home, 38-20. This marks the first of two consecutive road games prior to returning home against the New Orleans Saints on the first weekend of November.
Washington returns home after a Week Six defeat at the Baltimore Ravens, 30-23. The Commanders enter the week atop the NFC East division with a 4-2 record. Washington is led by first-year head coach, Dan Quinn, who most recently served
as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator from 2021-23.
The Matchup
About Carolina
- RB Chuba Hubbard eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage (92 yards rushing, 11 yards receiving) for the third time this season. Hubbard now ranks fourth in the NFL with 578 scrimmage yards and third with 485 rushing yards. His 5.64 yards per carry ranks third among running backs league-wide with at least 50 carries. Hubbard has now recorded at least 90 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive games, trailing just Derrick Henry (5) for the longest active streak among running backs in the NFL.
- Against the Falcons, WR Diontae Johnson tallied six receptions with a game-high 78 receiving yards and a touchdown. This marked the third game this season that Johnson has led the way receiving for the Panthers. He has now recorded 29 receptions for 340 yards and three receiving touchdowns through the first six games of the season. His 340 receiving yards through six weeks is the second most in his career after posting 376 yards in his 2021 Pro Bowl season.
- In his second start of his career, LB Trevin Wallace finished the Week Six matchup against the Falcons with nine total tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. After his 15-tackle debut, Wallace now leads the entire NFL with 24 total tackles over the last two weeks. He ranks first in franchise history with the most total tackles (24) in a player’s first two starts as a Panther. Wallace’s 26 tackles this season is tied for fifth league-wide among the 2024 draft class.
- QB Andy Dalton will appear in his 175th career game (168th start) against the Washington Commanders in Week Seven, which ranks sixth among quarterbacks since entering the league in 2011. He is 1-2-1 in four starts against the Commanders, completing 80-of-123 passes for 902 yards and five touchdowns for a 86.8 passer rating. His last game against Washington came in Week 12 of the 2020 season while with the Saints. In four starts this season, Dalton has completed 95-of-144 passes for 896 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions, earning him a passer rating of 87.6.
About Washington
- In his first career game, Quarterback Jayden Daniels rushed for 171 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Daniels is tied for eighth in the league among all offensive players with four rushing touchdowns and currently ranks nsecond among all quarterbacks. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. ranks tied for third among all offensive players for rushing touchdowns.
- Zach Ertz Is 338 receiving yards from 8,000 career receiving yards. He would become the ninth tight end in NFL history to reach the milestone. Needs one touchdown reception to move into a tie with Ozzie Newsome (47) and Pete Retzlaff (47) for 18th all-time in touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history. Is 253 yards away from passing Jackie Smith and moving into the top-10 among tight end receiving yards. Needs four touchdown receptions to have recorded 50 receiving touchdowns in his career. Needs 13 receptions to pass Greg Olsen (742) for sixth most all-time in receptions by a tight end in NFL history.
- Austin Elker needs 474 rushing yards to reach 5,000 career rushing yards and 166 receiving yards to pass Ricky Watters for 22nd all-time in receiving yards by a running back in NFL history. Needs nine receptions to pass Steven Jackson (461) for 26th all-time in receptions by a running back in NFL history.
Connections
Panthers WR Jalen Coker (Sterling, VA.), S Nick Scott (Fairfax, VA.), and G Chandler Zavala (Woodbridge, VA.) are all from the DMV.
Commanders WR Dyami Brown grew up in Charlotte and attended the University of North Carolina (2018-20). DE Clelin Ferrell went to Clemson (2015-18), DC Joe Whitt Jr. coached wide receivers at The Citadel (2002), and aST John Glenn coached linebackers at North Carolina Wesleyan College (2006-08).
Panthers vs Commanders
All-Time Series (Regular Season): 17 matchups | Washington leads 10-7
Last Regular Season Game: 11/21/21 | Washington 27 vs. Carolina 21
Series Record in Washington: The series is tied 4-4
How to Watch
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET CBS: Play by Play – Ian Eagle; Analyst – Charles Davis; Sideline – Evan Washburn
Radio: WRFX 99.7FM in Charlotte market – Jim Szoke (Play by Play), Kurt Coleman (Color), Kevin Donnalley (Color), Sharon Thorsland (Sideline)
Per Release