Redskins vs. Panthers -- Week 9

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

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

Spread: Redskins by 3.5

Forecast: Sunny and mid-50s.

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

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

What matters: Slowing the pass rush. Carolina has three defensive linemen with at least 4.5 sacks and have recorded 20 sacks overall. Their tackles do a good job collapsing the pocket and allowing the ends to come off and make plays. The Redskins have protected Robert Griffin III by moving the pocket, using a lot of play-action and play design (fake end arounds) to hold the ends. That will continue. Their line rarely drops back and protects in the pocket.

Who matters: The Redskins linebackers, primarily London Fletcher. Carolina will run some zone-read plays, as they did against the Redskins last year (and everyone else). Panthers QB Cam Newton caused indecision and the defense missed assignments with his ability to fool the linebackers. If they come up too aggressively on some play fakes, deeper passes should be open. They need to make the proper reads or face consequences. Fletcher will be a big key to this; he can’t afford the missed tackles he’s had through most of the first eight games.

Key matchups: RT Tyler Polumbus vs. Panthers DE George Johnson. Polumbus has played much better of late, giving up fewer pressures over the past four games than in the first four. Johnson leads Carolina with 5.5 sacks. CB Josh Wilson vs. Panthers WR Steve Smith. The Redskins will mix up coverages on him and last year did not have their corners switch sides. But Wilson covered him more because of how often Smith lined up on his side; Wilson is the Redskins best cover corner.

Injuries of note: SS Brandon Meriweather (knee) is a longshot to play and more likely will play the week after the bye. WR Pierre Garcon (foot/toe) has not practiced this week, making him highly unlikely. The Redskins hope -- but aren't sure --that he can play after the bye week. LB Perry Riley (hamstring) was limited Wednesday and Thursday. If he can't start veteran Lorenzo Alexander would replace him. Alexander is a smart, physical player. 

Inside stuff: The Redskins wanted corner DeAngelo Hall to become the next Charles Woodson, a versatile corner who can play in the slot and also drop to safety on occasion. But after eight games it’s clear that Hall is nowhere close to the effectiveness of Woodson. It was laughable from the start. Hall is a playmaker and relies on his eyes to sometimes take chances. It gets him in trouble covering in the slot where he gets turned around too often. It happened vs. Pittsburgh last week. The Redskins need to make corner a priority in the offseason, meaning Hall could be in his final eight games with Washington.

Connections: Redskins C Will Montgomery played with Carolina in 2006-07; LB Lorenzo Alexander spent parts of two seasons on Carolina’s practice squad in 2005-06; DL coach Jacob Burney served in the same role with the Panthers from 1999-2001; Panthers assistant OL coach Ray Brown played with Washington from 1989-95 and from 2004-05; QB Robert Griffin III played at Baylor with Panthers WR David Gettis.

Stat you should know: The Redskins are on pace to allow 5,028 yards passing, which would be an NFL record. Just know that the previous two record holders -- Green Bay and New England in 2011 -- combined to go 28-4 in the regular season.

Looking ahead: The Redskins have their bye week and then will have their season made or broken afterward with three straight NFC East games: vs. Philadelphia, at Dallas and vs. New York. If the Redskins win Sunday and win two of these three games, they will have positioned themselves for an interesting final month.

Prediction: Redskins 24, Panthers 20

John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSRedskins or@John_Keim.