The Washington Commanders are coming back to Northwest Stadium for their Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers and looking to get back in the win column. Here are three keys to the Burgundy & Gold getting a victory.
1. Keep Chuba Hubbard contained.
The Panthers have struggled in the first season of Dave Canales’ tenure. There’s plenty of talent at certain positions, but it’s clear that they are still trying to figure out how to play efficiently together. As a result, their offense is near the bottom of the league in several categories.
Running the ball, however, is one area that they have started to grow in, mostly because of how Chuba Hubbard is playing right now behind an offensive line that is clearly the most consistent position on the team. Hubbard is third in rushing yards through six weeks, second only to Derrick Henry and Jordan Mason. He’s also averaging 5.6 yards per carry despite ranking 10th with 86 carries.
Hubbard only has three runs of at least 20 yards but has been a physical force on the ground. He’s eighth in the NFL with 187 yards after contact, which has helped him rank fifth in rush yards over expected production.
Hubbard and the running game should be an interesting challenge for the Commanders, who have had to find a replacement for Jonathan Allen now that the defensive tackle is done for the year. The Commanders have also struggled to defend against ground attacks, allowing 137.7 yards per game.
It’s not an ideal time to lose a Pro Bowler, but it will be imperative for Washington to shut down the Panthers’ running game. Doing so would make the Panthers have to rely on Andy Dalton and their receivers, and while they do have weapons, their 23rd-ranking passing game doesn’t create much enthusiasm.