What We Saw: Week 7

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Panthers @ Commanders

Final Score: Commanders 40, Panthers 7

Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)

The Washington Commanders entered Sunday’s contest against the visiting Carolina Panthers looking to right the ship after a loss to Baltimore a week ago. Meanwhile, the Panthers were looking to avoid a four-game losing skid as they made their way to the DMV. This one was over pretty quickly as the Commanders took over and never relented – even after they lost their star quarterback. Let’s dig in.

Three Up

Chuba Hubbard – Trailing by 27 points at halftime, the Panthers still force-fed Hubbard on the ground.
Brian Robinson – Exploited a great matchup for a solid game.
Terry McLaurin – He’s the alpha wide receiver in this offense, and anyone who was worried about his production is eating their hat (myself included).

Three Down

Jayden Daniels– Suffered a rib injury early on, and by the time he made it back from the locker room, it was clear the game was in hand.
Diontae Johnson – This game was awful for just about everybody in a Panthers’ uniform (not named Chuba).
Andy Dalton – Easily his worst performance since taking over the starting role.

Carolina Panthers

Quarterback

Andy Dalton: 11/16, 93 Yards, 2 INT | 2 Carries, 3 Yards

Ugly game for the Red Rocket. The Panthers were dominated in time of possession, and when they did have the ball, they chose to run the ball more than pass, even when trailing by four scores. Dalton gave way to Bryce Young in the fourth quarter, but by then, the game was way, way, way out of reach.

The result of the game wasn’t all his fault… but It didn’t help that he started the game with this on the opening drive.

Glad the Panthers are letting Bryce Young sit and learn from what Andy Dalton is doing out there pic.twitter.com/1X6vMChtUm

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 20, 2024

Running Back

Chuba Hubbard: 17 Carries, 52 Yards, TD

One of the only bright spots of the entire game was Chuba Hubbard continuing to get a bellcow share of the running back usage and somehow finding the end zone for the team’s only score of the game. Chuba has been nothing short of outstanding this season, but he’ll still likely compete for touches with rookie Jonathan Brooks when he returns in the coming week or two.

Miles Sanders: 3 Carries, 34 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, -6 Yards

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Diontae Johnson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 17 Yards

Johnson entered this game with a questionable tag, nursing several injuries. But instead of sitting him once the game was out of hand, the Panthers actually put him on the field more often. He played 16 out of 28 first-half snaps and then 14 out of 15 snaps after halftime when his team was trailing big. He wasn’t full strength, so we can blame that for the lack of production, but this game was ugly for a lot more reasons than just Johnson.

Ja’Tavion Sanders: 6 Targets, 6 Receptions, 61 Yards

Sanders garnered a 33% target share, one of the few bright spots for the Panthers as they struggled through this one. His role has increased in every game he’s played this season, and he’s shown outstanding athleticism and good speed for the position. His best play of the game came on a deep pass to the left side, where he pulled in the catch for a 29-yard gain, leading to the Panthers’ lone score of the day.

Xavier Legette: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 3 Yards | 1 Carry, 6 Yards

The Panthers tried to get the ball to Legette in space on several occasions, but – like almost everything they did today – they failed to generate much production.

Jalen Coker: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 10 Yards

Washington Commanders

Quarterback

Jayden Daniels: 2/2, 6 Yards | 3 Carries, 50 Yards

Daniels was on course for an amazing day after scrambling for a 46-yard gain in the first quarter but was in clear pain a few plays later after getting hit in the midsection. He left the game with what appeared to be a rib injury and came back in street clothes after the contest was well in hand. In a closer, more important game, maybe he returns to action. We’ll have to monitor his status heading into next week’s game against the Chicago Bears.

Marcus Mariota: 18/23, 205 Yards, 2 TDs | 11 Carries, 34 Yards

Mariota looked like a very serviceable backup quarterback, fitting the dual-threat mold that Daniels plays and emulating the starter in a lot of ways. Mariota made good decisions and kept the Commanders’ offense moving on multiple drives, leading the team to scores on six out of seven drives. One of his best throws of the game came near the end of the first half, scrambling out of the pocket to his right and hitting his former teammate Ertz in the end zone for a score.

Do not adjust your screen. It is 2024 and Marcus Mariota just threw a TD to Zach Ertz. pic.twitter.com/MfvVypWX5U

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 20, 2024

Running Back

Brian Robinson Jr.: 12 Carries, 71 Yards, TD

Though he carried an injury designation for much of the week, Robinson looked as healthy as he’s ever been on Sunday running against a beleaguered Panthers’ defense. He consistently got to the second level, rushing for 5.9 yards per carry without ever breaking a big one. His longest rush of the day went for just 11 yards. He found the end zone early in the second quarter, pummeling a Panthers defensive back on the way to the painted area.

BRIAN ROBINSON JR. WILL NOT BE STOPPED 😤 pic.twitter.com/PkAnH8CZZy

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 20, 2024

Austin Ekeler: 4 Carries, 17 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 3 Yards

Ekeler was barely used in this one, despite a prevalent role on third downs and the two-minute drill. Ekeler played 23 snaps to Robinson’s 25 snaps but managed just six touches.

Jeremy McNichols: 7 Carries, 42 Yards

Most of his touches came in garbage time, as the Commanders had this one well in hand for most of the second half.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Terry McLaurin: 6 Targets, 6 Receptions, 98 Yards

McLaurin has proven time and time again that it doesn’t matter who is throwing the ball, he’ll get on the end of it and make a play. Today was no exception as he connected with Mariota for several solid gains, including a 25-yard pass and catch – his longest of the game.

Noah Brown: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 16 Yards

Dyami Brown: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 23 Yards

Olamide Zaccheaus: 5 Target, 4 Receptions, 25 Yards

The wide receivers behind McLaurin were nearly non-factors, with Zaccheaus having the best day of the trio, mostly in short-yardage areas.

Zach Ertz: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 40 Yards, TD

Ertz showed chemistry with his former teammate, serving as a safety valve option for the backup quarterback. Ertz has shown that he can be a fantasy-relevant tight end in this prolific offense and should be considered as such even with Mariota under center.

Ben Sinnott: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards, TD

Sinnott was touted as a sleeper tight end in the preseason but hasn’t amounted to much so far. He made his first catch of the season on Sunday afternoon, carrying it from the flat into the end zone for his first career score. He was on the field for 31 snaps (compared to Ertz’s 40 snaps) but was utilized mostly as a blocker in 12-personnel formations.