LANDOVER — Josh Norman unstrapped his helmet and celebrated. The Redskins’ defense, with the game on the line and Cam Newton marching the Carolina Panthers steadily down the field, finally rose up and shut down the former NFL MVP.
Game, Redskins.
As wild as Washington’s season has been in the first month, the Redskins haven’t been tested by the kind of up-and-down, back-and-forth adversity they saw Sunday. In their two losses, they’d been blown out. In their two previous wins, they’d been in firm control.
But against the Panthers at FedEx Field on Sunday, the Redskins faced adversity head-on — and responded.
Washington forced a turnover on downs with seconds left to secure a 23-17 win — moving the Redskins to 3-2 this season. Down six points, the Panthers had driven all the way to the 16-yard line before the Washington defense clamped down.
Norman turned to the sideline for a jubilant yell. His performance, like the team’s, wasn’t a dominant one, but the win was what mattered most.
After the week Norman had just gone through — he was briefly benched in the loss to New Orleans and criticized by fans, the media, and a former teammate — a win was welcomed. He even picked off Newton in the second quarter, grabbing his first interception since the 2016 season.
“This week was a little different, I’m not going to lie,” said Norman, who forced two of the Redskins’ three turnovers. “People came from everywhere saying things. I was just like, ’Gosh.’ … I was playing cornerback against everybody.”
It was a bounce-back game for the whole team.
Through four games, Washington had been defined by inconsistency. As left tackle Trent Williams keenly observed last week, there are times when the Redskins look like a playoff team and others when they look like they’re jockeying for a top-five draft pick.
Last week’s lopsided loss in New Orleans left Washington embarrassed.
The franchise left the Big Easy vowing to remedy the defensive breakdowns in coverage and determined to fix an inept offense. In a season of ups-and-downs, Washington had hit a new low.
To respond, the Redskins had to top a solid Panthers team that looked impressive to begin the season.
On paper, it wouldn’t be easy. Washington was without running back Chris Thompson (rib, knee) and wideout Jamison Crowder (ankle), both of whom suffered injuries against the Saints.
The Redskins, however, adjusted.
“You’re going to face adversity and we have to meet it,” coach Jay Gruden said “It was great to see our guys bounce back after a tough performance on Monday night on a short week … I’m happy.”
Throughout the afternoon, Washington featured two — and sometimes three — tight ends to keep the Panthers off-balance. The strategy made sense: Carolina had the fifth-worst defense against tight ends heading into the contest, according to Football Outsiders.
Quarterback Alex Smith, who threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns, relied on tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis early.
On the Redskins’ first score, Smith hit a wide-open Davis for a 22-yard touchdown up the seam with 10:26 left in the first.
That score was set up shortly after Redskins rookie linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton forced a fumble on special teams, giving the Redskins the ball just outside the red zone.
The early lead allowed the Redskins to lean on a familiar formula to carry them on offense: Running the ball.
Adrian Peterson, who had just six yards on four attempts in New Orleans, finished with 97 yards on 17 attempts against the Panthers. The veteran back’s ability to move the chains allowed the Redskins to eat the clock and work their way down the field.
At one point, the Redskins led 17-0.
“We were able to be balanced,” Peterson said. “We were able to … keep those guys on their heels and we got the running going.”
Washington’s defense was also better, limiting Newton to 275 yards on 40 attempts. Carolina’s longest play of the day was just 23 yards — a massive improvement after Drew Brees and New Orleans torched the unit for five plays of more than 20 yards.
These Redskins are still a work-in-progress: The offense again suffered a familiar second-half stall that paved the way for the Panthers to claw their way back. And two lengthy drives in the second half that could have iced the game instead ended with Dustin Hopkins hitting field goals of 56 and 29 yards.
But with the win, Washington retains its hold, for another week at least, on first place in the NFC East.
“I guess we’ve got a flair for dramatics somehow,” Norman said with a laugh.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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