5 studs and duds from Carolina Panthers’ win at Washington

Studs and duds from the Carolina Panthers’ win at Washington.

The Carolina Panthers got back to winning ways with an impressive overall display at the Washington Football Team. This might not be what large sections of the team’s fanbase wanted to see with a top-three 2021 NFL Draft pick within their grasp, but this team wasn’t not just going to roll over and accept their fate.

Head coach Matt Rhule is trying to build a winning culture within the Carolina Panthers. This doesn’t come by the ever-popular “tanking” theory – which does sound good but never happens – and as running back Mike Davis pointed out eloquently during his pre-game presser…

"“We don’t care about draft picks.”"

Most of these players are fighting for their futures in Carolina. So the notion of them giving up a game with a lackluster performance in the hope that a college recruit can be the miracle cure for the franchise wasn’t exactly likely whichever way one looks at it.

Winning is all that matters.

Let’s take a look at five studs and duds from Carolina’s fifth win of the 2020 season at FedEx Field.

Dud No. 1

Michael Schofield – Carolina Panthers OL

Michael Schofield was thrown in at the deep end when left tackle Trenton Scott was forced out of the game through injury. The offensive lineman has been used sparingly by the Panthers despite earning a starting spot earlier in the campaign and if he was hoping to make an impression when called upon against Washington’s ferocious defensive front, it was a failed exercise.

Schofield was like a rabbit in the headlights during his time on the field. He was blown up on numerous occasions by Chase Young and Montez Sweat, who had their way with the veteran in no uncertain terms.

There doesn’t appear to be any hope of Schofield earning a new deal in Carolina beyond this season, with the entire protection set for another substantial makeover.