Sunday's Week 16 trip at Washington has been circled on many calendars since the schedule was announced in the spring. It's the long-awaited matchup at Washington between head coach Ron Rivera and the team he coached for nine seasons.
While Carolina (4-10) is on an eight-game losing streak, the Washington Football Team (6-8) is on the verge of its first division title since 2015. If Washington wins and the New York Giants lose to Baltimore, Washington clinches the NFC East.
Reunion weekend
Sunday marks the fourth time the Panthers will face a former head coach with his new team. Carolina is 0-3 against former head coaches after losing to Dom Capers once (Houston, 2003) and John Fox twice (Denver 2012, Chicago 2017).
Rivera was in Carolina from 2011-19, leaving as the franchise leader in all-time wins (79).
Sunday also marks the first time that linebacker Thomas Davis will face his former team. Davis is the Panthers' all-time leader in tackles (1,098) after playing 13 seasons from 2005-18. He was with the Chargers in 2019 and joined Washington in 2020, appearing in seven games this season.
Other former Panthers currently on the Washington active roster include quarterback Taylor Heinicke, linebackers Jared Norris and Jordan Kunaszyk and cornerback Cole Luke. Much of the Washington assistant coaching staff and football operations staff were also in Carolina.
Chase Young comparisons
The eyes of Panthers fans will be on rookie defensive end Chase Young. Many consider him in contention with Panthers linebacker Jeremy Chinn to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Young's résumé was boosted this week after he earned a Pro Bowl nod over Panthers defensive end Brian Burns, despite Burns holding an edge in total tackles (56-38), sacks (8.0-5.5) and pressures (34-17). Young did score a high-profile 47-yard touchdown in Washington's win over San Francisco in Week 15.
But Panthers fans will be watching to nitpick every move he makes.
Haskins' rollercoaster season
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins has had an up-and-down sophomore season in Washington. The 2019 first-round pick was benched four games into the year after throwing just four touchdowns with three interceptions.
When Kyle Allen and Alex Smith were both injured, Haskins returned in Week 14 and helped Washington hold on to a win over San Francisco. But in his start against Seattle last week, Haskins managed a passer rating of 72.9, throwing two interceptions as Washington lost, 20-15.
This week, video emerged of Haskins at a strip club after Sunday's game, putting him in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
On Monday, Rivera said Smith would start if he's healthy enough after straining his calf two weeks ago. The status of Washington's signal-caller will certainly be worth watching throughout the week.
Carolina is 7-10 against Washington all-time in the regular season.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against Washington on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) drags Washington Redskins' Walt Harris down the sideline during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Washington Redskins' Jason Campbell (17) loses the ball as he is hit by Carolina Panthers' Everette Brown (91) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. The Redskins recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers play against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Monday, December 19, 2016 in Landover, MD.
Carolina Pathers' Tshimanga Biakabutuka (21) holds on to the ball as he scores the team's second touchdown as Washington Redskins' Sam Shade (29) tries stop him during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999 at Redskins Park in Landover Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Devin Funchess catches a pass for a touchdown during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Devin Funchess catches a pass during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Torrey Smith celebrates a touchdown during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Captain Munnerlyn makes a tackle during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Cam Newton carries the football during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Eric Reid makes a tackle during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Eric Reid makes a tackle during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Greg Olsen carries the football during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Jarius Wright catches a pass during the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
