Panthers at Redskins -- Week 9

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md, (grass, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: Redskins by 3

Forecast: Sunny and windy; projected kickoff temperature: low-50s.

Records: Panthers (Overall: 1-6, NFC South: 1-2); Redskins (Overall: 3-5, NFC East: 0-1)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 23, 2011: Panthers 33, Redskins 20; Oct. 11, 2009: Panthers 20, Redskins 17. Series record: Redskins hold an 7-3 edge.

What matters: Young, mobile, Heisman-winning quarterbacks are like iPhones, and everyone is lined up for this year’s newer model. Rookie Robert Griffin III has brought excitement to the Redskins, while Cam Newton’s Panthers have fallen on hard times in his second season. Winning the individual matchup can help repair Newton’s reputation, but more importantly, this is a winnable game for the Panthers, who have dropped five straight.

Who matters: Newton's averaging more passing yards per game than Griffin -- 243 to 222 -- and he’s averaging slightly higher yards per attempt -- 8.03 to 7.97. But Griffin has been more accurate and is on pace to rush for 954 yards. Newton has 706 yards on the ground in his rookie season and is on pace for 699 this year.

Key matchups: Newton and receiver Steve Smith against cornerback DeAngelo Hall. The Redskins pass defense is giving up 314 yards a game, worst in the NFL. That may be just the thing Newton needs to get the Panthers offense back on track. Hall had an on-field meltdown last week, berating an official in Pittsburgh and getting ejected. The three-time Pro Bowler needs to provide leadership in the defensive backfield.

Injuries of note: Panthers rookie defensive end Frank Alexander hasn’t practiced this week with a knee injury. Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards has been out all week with an ankle problem. Guard Geoff Hangartner is nursing a knee injury, and receiver Brandon LaFell has missed practice with a head injury. For the Redskins, Pierre Garcon has missed practice with a foot injury, and safety Brandon Meriweather has been limited with a knee problem.

Inside stuff: Panthers kicker Justin Medlock attempted only two field goals in the first six games, but he hit five in last week’s game at Chicago. The Panthers are second-to-last in the NFL in red-zone scoring percentage during the last three games.

Connections: Panthers assistant coach Ray Brown played for Washington from 1989 to 1995, and assistant John Settle played for Washington in 1991 and 1992.

Stat you should know: The Panthers have lost the past four games by a total of 12 points.

Record watch: Newton threw for 314 yards last week, the fifth 300-yard passing game of his career, tying Kerry Collins for most in team history. 

Bulletin board quote: “This is where normally football teams are taken over by their veterans. You can go one direction or the other … It’s either step up or shut up, and this is where you’ve got to get it done.” -- Redskins coach Mike Shanahan to the Washington Post. 

Looking ahead: The Panthers return to Charlotte for consecutive home games against Denver and Tampa Bay. The Redskins have a bye week, then play divisional opponents Philadelphia and Dallas during a five-day span.

Prediction: Panthers 24, Redskins 10

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Carolina Panthers from blogger Shawn Krest, follow @CBSPanthers.