Embarrassing MNF Loss to Panthers Signals Doom for Lifeless Redskins

Those who didn't watch Monday night's matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins will tell you the game shouldn't have been close. They'll state, rightly, that the Redskins were hosting a must-win affair against a depleted opponent limping to the finish line. Washington was a sizeable favorite for a reason.

And those who did watch Monday night's game will also tell you that it shouldn't have been close. They'll note the plethora of chances the underdog Panthers had to pull away, the profusion of questionable calls that went Washington's way and the statistics that clearly favored Carolina.

Stat	CAR	WAS
Turnovers	0	3
Total Yards	438	335
Third Downs	4/15	2/12
Time of Possession	34:39	25:21

The NFL is funny that way. The Redskins had no business losing to a fading 5-8 opponent at home, and yet they were extremely lucky to lose by merely 11 points. The Panthers won 26-15, but for all intents and purposes, this was a blowout.

Which for the Redskins is embarrassing.

With their playoff hopes dangling, the 'Skins mustered 29 rushing yards, committed three turnovers and converted just two of 12 third downs in an effort that was strangely uninspired. They only remained within reaching distance into the fourth quarter because the banged-up Panthers also lacked offensive chemistry for much of the night, and because Washington benefited from several botched calls.

This game might not have been close had the officials called Redskins linebacker Trent Murphy for a fairly obvious hit to the head on a sliding Cam Newton in the second quarter. That would have set Carolina up with a first down inside the red zone, but instead Newton was flagged for a frivolous taunting penalty, and the Panthers were forced to punt. That was a potential seven-point swing in a game Carolina led by 10.

Later, Washington was helped on a scoring drive by a seven-yard penalty against Carolina's Kawann Short, who was called for a late hit despite the fact his hit wasn't late. And the Panthers were probably robbed of more points when a defensive pass interference flag was picked up because a pass to tight end Greg Olsen was ruled uncatchable. It certainly appeared as though it would have been catchable if not for the interference.

And yet, despite playing a mediocre opponent at home and receiving several breaks from the officials, the lethargic Redskins still lost by double digits.

What the heck happened?

There were indications prior to Week 15 that the Redskins might have peaked early. Losing a close road game on short rest in Dallas in Week 12 wasn't cause for concern on its own, but then they fell to a struggling Arizona Cardinals team in a sloppy effort on extended rest. And one week later, they had to fight tooth and nail to sneak by a Philadelphia Eagles squad that has one victory since Halloween.

During that stretch, Arizona and Philly had 48 first downs to Washington's 35.

Monday night, the Redskins were easily outgained in yards for the third consecutive week while losing the turnover battle 3-0 to a team missing its best defensive player in Luke Kuechly. Throw in that Newton appeared to be nursing a pesky shoulder injury and few of us would have blamed the Panthers for phoning it in against Washington.

Instead, it often felt as though the Redskins were making that call, which is rather puzzling considering what was at stake.

As a result of the putrid performance, the 'Skins no longer control their playoff destiny. The Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (each 8-6) have leapfrogged 7-6-1 Washington in the wild-card race, likely leaving the Redskins in need of two wins and some help in order to remain alive beyond Jan. 1.

Right now, finishing 2-0 seems far-fetched for a team that hasn't played well in at least a month. Sure, their Week 16 opponent, the Chicago Bears, doesn't have anything left to play for. But those circumstances didn't help the Redskins against Carolina, and going on the road on four days' rest is never easy.

So, there's a chance a Week 17 victory over the playoff-bound New York Giants won't be enough.

Stat	Redskins	Opponents
Record	1-3	3-1
Points/Game	22.8	27.5
First Downs	78	94
Turnovers	6	2

When the Redskins won four straight games after an 0-2 start, it looked like they'd have a chance to make a run. And when they beat the Minnesota Vikings and Packers coming off their Week 9 bye, there were signs they could put together a special season.

In November, quarterback Kirk Cousins had a three-game stretch during which he was arguably the hottest player in the NFL. The Redskins scored 26 or more points in each of those games, with Cousins throwing eight touchdown passes to zero interceptions while posting a 124.4 passer rating. But against the Panthers, Cousins posted a sub-80 rating for the second time in three weeks. Previously, he hadn't failed to reach that mark since Week 1.

That's not all on Cousins. A lack of offensive balance has cost the Redskins dearly in each of their last three losses, and on Monday Cousins led the team in rushing with 11 yards on two scrambles. Backs Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson combined for just 18 yards on 11 carries as one of the league's most pass-heavy offenses again leaned too heavily on a passing game that wasn't clicking.

The Redskins feel like a team running out of ideas and gas. And considering what happened against Arizona and Philadelphia, this probably wasn't an aberration. Washington lost the benefit of the doubt Monday night—and a playoff spot to boot.

It might still redeem itself and squeak into the playoffs, because—again—the NFL is funny that way. But a collection of sluggish performances in critical homestretch games doesn't usually bode well for any team in any sport.

Be prepared to lay the 2016 Redskins to rest on or before New Year's Day.

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon