NFL Week 7 live updates: Patriots-Jaguars from Wembley, Haason Reddick holdout ends, league schedule, predictions, odds
By Ben Standig, Joe Person and Chris Licata
No Jayden Daniels, no problem for the Washington Commanders — at least on Sunday. Dan Quinn’s squad got back in the win column with a dominant 40-7 win over the reeling Carolina Panthers, boosting their record to 5-2 while holding on to first place in the NFC East.
All eyes, though, are on the status of Washington’s prized rookie quarterback, who exited the Week 7 win in the first quarter due to a rib injury. That cleared the way for fellow former No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota to shine in relief. The 30-year-old finished with 239 total yards (34 rushing) and two touchdowns on 18-of-23 passing as the Commanders outgained the Panthers 421 yards to 180 yards.
Looking ahead, if Daniels is cleared to play in Week 8, a home matchup with 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears awaits next Sunday.
Mariota says Daniels is in ‘good spirits’
The 40-7 win was impressive in all three phases, and yet, a clear second-tier angle because of Daniels’ injury.
Credit Mariota for coming off the bench with an efficient showing in his first non-mop-up duties of the season. Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz delivered as receiving targets, the defense shut down the Panthers’ offense and Austin Seibert remained a kicking weapon. But the hopes for sustained success this season and beyond hinge on the talented rookie.
Mariota said postgame Daniels was in “good spirits” but offered no insight into his physical status. Neither did Quinn, who said further testing will be conducted on Monday.
Dan Quinn with what he knows about Jayden Daniels’s injury (not much for now) pic.twitter.com/M4HjJkl2Mu
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 20, 2024
The offense is doubtful to keep up this pace if Daniels misses next week’s game against the Bears, but who thought this team would be 5-2? — Ben Standig, Commanders senior writer
Panthers hit a new low?
Every time you think the Panthers (1-6) can’t play any worse, they surprise you with another performance more awful than those that came before. Missing six of their defensive starters along their front seven, the Panthers’ only chance was to get into a shootout with the Commanders. That didn’t come close to happening.
Instead, Andy Dalton made a terrible decision on a screen pass on the first series, which Dante Fowler Jr. picked off and returned 67 yards for a touchdown. Dalton finished with a 44.0 passer rating and two interceptions, although the second one came when Diontae Johnson stopped his route short. — Joe Person, Panthers senior writer
The Panthers fall 40-7. Two of the worst nine losses in team history (in terms of pt. differential) have occurred in the first seven games this season.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 20, 2024
Competitive Commanders defense shines
Carolina is quite the mess, but Washington didn’t care. That’s been a hallmark of the team’s competitive spirit throughout the season.
Despite the absence of two starting defensive linemen, the Commanders’ defense held the Panthers to 180 total yards and started the scoring with Fowler’s pick-six.
The group with only one interception on the season picked off Dalton twice on Sunday. This side of the ball has been over matched against tougher opponents but puts the hammer on underwhelming foes. That energy and consistency makes up for talent deficiencies, and helps give the offense a viable partner. — Standig
BRINGIN’ THE BOOM @dantefowler
📺 #CARvsWAS CBS pic.twitter.com/CvvH07ZqJj
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 20, 2024
So what next for Carolina?
The Panthers let quarterback Bryce Young play the final offensive series, which was a quick three-and-out. First-year coach Dave Canales has shown no inclination to go back to Young. So expect Dalton to start next week at Denver.
It seems unlikely owner Dave Tepper will fire a coach mid-season for the second year in a row, but he could demand that Canales shake up his coaching staff. At a minimum, the Panthers should be big sellers at the trade deadline and should consider offers for nearly everyone, from Young to Jadeveon Clowney to running back Miles Sanders. — Person
Required reading
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
