Carolina has three wins in as many tries this season at home in Bank of America Stadium.
Now, Cam Newton and the Panthers are set on picking up their first win away from Charlotte. They came close in their only other away game of the season, a 31-24 loss at Atlanta.
“We just have to go into this game like we have been going into every single game,” Newton said. “Looking forward to the challenge at hand and executing the given game plan.”
One of the challenges Newton and company are going to face is a vaunted Washington defense. The Redskins were stout through their first three games before running into New Orleans. Drew Brees’ historic showing led the Saints to a 43-19 shellacking of the Redskins.
Washington had previously limited the Cardinals to just six points in Arizona, and held Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay offense to 17 points in its two wins.
One of the Redskins’ defensive playmakers is defensive back and former Panther Josh Norman. Newton wouldn’t say whether playing against his former teammate provides extra motivation.
“I just like playing. If he’s on the other side, so be it. I think he’s got his hands full,” Newton joked, adding that he was teasing Norman.
Newton hopes that he’ll go into this week with another weapon to attack the Washington defense. Tight end Greg Olsen practiced during the week and seems poised to return to action. The Carolina signal caller is hoping his 6-foot-5 veteran target target can stay healthy.
“I’m just going to start saying an individual prayer for Greg,” Newton said. “Oh, you know, I’m going to have my grandma pray for Greg. She prays a lot.”
Olsen isn’t the only comeback expected for the Panthers. Linebacker Thomas Davis is also eligible to return after serving a four-game suspension.
