Two touchdown underdog entered the Superdome with a huge chip on their shoulders and took it to the Carolina Panthers on a very delayed championship game.
Washington's first two possessions started off shaky with Aaron Rodger's first passed being picked off the CB Darrelle Revis, leader of the most pick happy squad in the league (19 for the season). Although Carolina had it on the Redskin 20, they were only able to get a FG out of it. They would not score again until the 2nd quarter.
Redskin Possession #2 began with a 10 yard penalty on Washington and included two more in the drive but they were still able to get a TD out of it on a 31 yard pass to RB DeAngelo Williams although the play-by-play shows WR DeSean Jackson involved with the play as well?
Rodgers rained down on the highly ranked Panther secondary on the 3rd possession and, assisted by a 21 yard pass interference call on S Can Chancellor, scored on 2 yard dive by Williams.
WAS 14, CAR 3 and 2 punts. End of 1st quarter.
After Carolina QB Tony Romo's dismal 1st quarter (5 of 10 and 2 sacks) and gets the Panthers their first TD with a 57 yard strike to WR Marques Colston early in the 2nd quarter. Unfortunately, it will be their only touchdown for the game. The Redskins answer with a 12 play, 5:29 clock digesting drive featuring 9 consecutive pass attempts (3 completions, 4 incompletions, 1 sack and 1 signature 14 yard run by Rodgers. The drive was capped off with an 11 yard bootleg and two Williams scampers of 19 and 10 yards (the latter for the TD). The Panthers had gone into aggressive defensive mode and it didn't pay off.
WAS 21, CAR 10. 2nd quarter, 7:20 to go.
The Panthers go 3 and out on the next drive. Although an excellent punt put Washington on their own 12 yard line, they were able to drive to the Carolina 10 even though Rodgers only went 3 of 9. Panthers started spying Rodgers and that slowed down his running damage so Washington settled for the field goal.
WAS 24, CAR 10 2nd quarter, 1:11 left to go.
Carolina goes to a 5WR set to finish out the first half but Romo gets sacked on the Cowboy...er...sorry, the Carolina 13. Washington gets the ball back on their 39 with 35 seconds to go. 4WR set. Panthers go 3-3-5 aggressive defense. Pass to Hankerson - incomplete. Slant to Jackson, complete for 26 yards. Long slant to Eric Decker TD!
WAS 31, CAR 10 Halftime.
This would be a mortal injury for any lesser team, but Carolina has the #2 scoring offense in the league, averaging 29.4 points a game. This was not over. Yet.
But...the Panthers start the 3rd quarter with another embarrassing 3 and out, trying to throw the ball to RB LeSean McCoy. Fortunately, DeSean (not to be confused with LESean) Jackson fumbles after a 23 yard catch and gives the ball back to Carolina. Romo drives to the 24 but can't connect with Colston to get a first down and they take another FG.
WAS 31, CAR 13 3rd quarter, 9:46 left.
The Carolina defense steps up and starts slowing down Washington but the offense can't get on the board. Their next drive ends on a sack of Romo by DT Geno Atkins, causing Romo to cough up the ball, killing a chance to get within 11. The next drive, early in the 4th quarter, ends on a failed 4th and inches attempt on the Washington 38 yard line. The rest of the game was the Redskins running to kill the clock and Carolina throwing into the teeth of a dime defense. 2nd string RB Chris Ogbonnaya carried the load during the 4th quarter and wound up with 10 carries, 34 yds and the final touchdown, Williams had 8 carries for 49 yds. He may've been injured in the 1st half but the report does not have injuries.\\
Carolina only had 35 yards rushing, due to getting behind early. Washington had 132 yds and 3 TDs on the ground. Both QBs had 88 ratings and passed for comparable yds, Rodgers 389, Romo 362. Rodgers threw 2 TDs, 1 INT and was sacked 3 times. Romo threw 1 TD, 0 INTs but was sacked 6 times.
It was like both the defense and the offense of Carolina didn't step up for the big game. If one or the other had been effective, the game would've been closer. But Rodgers & Company are always a difficult group to stop.
Congratulations to both excellent coaches to a successful season.
NOW. When's the draft! Time to do this again!
