Football is more than just scores. If you only look at the final numbers, you miss the full story. That’s exactly what happened in the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match. Yes, Washington won big—but there’s much more to talk about.
In this article, we’ll explore the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats. We’ll break it down into simple parts like who passed better, who ran harder, and which defense stepped up. From star players to small moments that changed the game, we’ll explain it all in a way that’s easy to understand—even if you’re new to football.
Let’s start with what everyone watches first: the quarterbacks.
The Final Score and Game Summary
The final score of the game was Washington Commanders 40, Carolina Panthers 7. That alone tells us Washington had a strong game—but how did it happen?
The Commanders came out ready. From the first quarter, they moved the ball well and stopped the Panthers from getting into rhythm. Carolina struggled early, and it showed. They had trouble staying on the field, while Washington kept piling on points.
As the game went on, Washington kept control. They scored in almost every quarter and used both their offense and defense smartly. The Panthers did get one touchdown in the final quarter, but by then, the game was already decided.
Quarterback Battle: Who Played Better?
When we look at the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats, the quarterback comparison tells a lot.
For Carolina, rookie Bryce Young had a tough day. He completed 15 of 31 passes for 180 yards, with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He did throw a nice pass to DJ Moore for a score, but overall, he was under pressure and couldn’t get into a smooth rhythm.
On the other side, Washington’s Sam Howell had a great game. He completed 19 of 29 passes for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns. He made smart choices, found open teammates, and didn’t throw any picks. His calm play helped Washington move the ball with ease.
In short, Howell played like a pro. Young showed potential, but the pressure got to him. It was a clear win for Washington in the QB battle.
Running Game Highlights
A strong run game can make life easier for a quarterback. And in this match, the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats show how both teams used their running backs.
For Washington, Brian Robinson Jr. ran the ball 22 times for 82 yards and scored 1 touchdown. He was steady and powerful, helping keep drives alive. His tough runs wore down the Panthers’ defense.
Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard had a few good runs too. He rushed for 38 yards on 10 carries, which showed some spark. But Carolina couldn’t keep up the pace. Without a strong ground attack, their offense became too easy to read.
Washington used their run game to stay in control. Carolina couldn’t do the same, and that made a big difference.
Receivers Who Made Key Plays
Passing is only half the job—receivers need to catch and create plays. The Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats show how both teams used their wide receivers well, but one side was clearly more effective.
Curtis Samuel was a top target for the Commanders. He caught 5 passes for 65 yards, including a touchdown. Logan Thomas, their tight end, also stepped up with 4 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. These plays helped Washington stay in the lead.
For Carolina, DJ Moore had a strong game. He caught 6 passes for 78 yards and scored the team’s only touchdown. He was the bright spot in a quiet offense and gave fans something to cheer for.
Still, Washington spread the ball better. Their receivers helped finish drives, while Carolina’s had fewer chances to shine.
Defense: Stops, Sacks, and Standouts
Defense wins games—and in this one, Washington’s defense was on fire.
Looking at the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats, we see how much pressure the Commanders put on Bryce Young. They got 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and forced Carolina into mistakes. They also kept Carolina under 200 total yards, which is a huge win for any defense.
Carolina’s defense had some moments too. They grabbed 1 interception in the first quarter and tried to slow down the Commanders’ passing game. But overall, they couldn’t stop the run or make big stops when it counted.
Washington’s defense didn’t just stop plays—they set the tone. That pressure gave their offense more chances to score.
Third Down and Red Zone Stats That Tell the Truth
Football often comes down to just two things: can you stay on the field (third downs) and can you finish drives (red zone)?
Washington was better at both in this match. On third downs, they converted 6 out of 11 tries—over half. That kept their drives alive and led to more points. In the red zone, they scored 3 touchdowns on 3 trips. That’s perfect execution.
Carolina had a harder time. They converted just 4 of 12 third downs, and they only reached the red zone once. They did score a touchdown then, but they needed more chances.
These two stats tell the real story behind the score. Washington didn’t waste drives. Carolina couldn’t keep theirs going.
Turnovers That Changed the Game
Turnovers can shift momentum fast, and the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats clearly show this.
Carolina gave the ball away twice—both interceptions thrown by Bryce Young. One came early in the game and instantly gave Washington a scoring chance. The second pick happened when the Panthers were trying to catch up, and it crushed their momentum.
Washington, on the other hand, played clean. They didn’t turn the ball over once. This made a big difference. When a team doesn’t make mistakes, they usually win. And that’s exactly what happened here. Washington took care of the football, while Carolina gave it away.
Special Teams: Kicks, Returns, and Field Position
Special teams often go unnoticed, but they still matter. The Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats include a few important details here too.
Carolina’s kicker, Matthew Wright, was solid. He hit the team’s only extra point and did his job well. But the Panthers never got a chance to try a field goal—because they didn’t move the ball far enough.
Washington’s Joey Slye made every kick, including four extra points and two field goals. Also, Washington’s return team helped set up good field position. That gave their offense shorter fields, which led to quicker points.
Special teams didn’t win the game, but they helped keep things smooth for the Commanders.
Time of Possession and Who Controlled the Field
The team that holds the ball longer usually controls the game. In this matchup, the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats confirm that Washington had the upper hand.
Washington had the ball for around 32 minutes, while Carolina only had it for about 28 minutes. That may not sound like a big difference—but it is. Those extra minutes gave Washington more time to score and rest their defense.
Carolina had a few long drives, but they didn’t turn into points. Washington kept their drives alive with third-down conversions and smart runs. That’s what helped them keep control from start to finish.
Coaching and Game Plans That Worked (or Didn’t)
Coaching plays a huge part in football. And when you look closely at the Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats, you can see the coaches’ hands all over the game.
Carolina coach Frank Reich tried to protect his rookie quarterback with short passes and run plays. But the plan didn’t work as hoped. Too many penalties and missed chances slowed things down.
Washington’s coaches—Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy—made a great game plan. They mixed short passes, strong runs, and good timing. Howell looked confident, and the plays flowed smoothly. The coaches clearly trusted him, and it paid off.
Good coaching is about balance and timing. Washington had both.
Full Player Stats Recap (Passing, Rushing, Receiving, Defense)
Let’s take a final look at the full Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats, grouped by position.
Washington Commanders:
-
QB Sam Howell: 19/29, 246 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
-
RB Brian Robinson Jr.: 22 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
-
WR Curtis Samuel: 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
-
TE Logan Thomas: 4 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
-
Defense: 2 INTs, 3 sacks, multiple QB pressures
Carolina Panthers:
-
QB Bryce Young: 15/31, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
-
RB Chuba Hubbard: 10 carries, 38 yards
-
WR DJ Moore: 6 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD
-
Defense: 1 INT, a few stops but not enough pressure on Howell
These stats tell the full story. Washington was efficient, clean, and dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Bottom-Line
The Carolina Panthers vs Washington Commanders match player stats teach us a lot about where both teams are right now.
Washington looks ready for a playoff run. Their quarterback is playing well, their defense is strong, and their coaches are making good decisions. That kind of balance is rare—and dangerous for opponents.
Carolina, on the other hand, is still growing. Bryce Young showed some bright moments, but the team needs better protection, fewer mistakes, and stronger execution.
This game showed the gap between a team that’s finding its way and a team that’s already rolling. Stats helped us see what really happened—and what could happen next.
You may also read: Baltimore Ravens vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats
