Landover, MD. — The Washington Commanders host the Carolina Panthers in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season in a clash between two franchises headed in completely different directions.

After a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, the Commanders are looking to grow from that experience and get back into the win column for the fifth time this year as they battle a Panthers team that is about as banged up as they come and are mired in uncertainty about the future of their quarterback position.

After that score, the Commanders defense forced a three-and-out, which led to a Panthers punt and quarterback Jayden Daniels’ first possession of the game.

The drive started excellently when Daniels took a read option on the left side of the offensive formation for a gain of 46 yards to the Carolina 44 yard line. It’s unclear if it happened on that play (he did go down awkwardly at the end) or not, but at some point in that drive, Daniels injured a rib and came off the field in favor of his left side.

While Washington got a field goal on the first drive, Daniels went to the locker room between the first and second possessions and was declared questionable to return with the rib injury.

Marcus Mariota came in for Daniels and his first drive was a three and out, matching the crowd’s energy. However, the second drive went much better and included strong carries by Brian Robinson Jr. running back and a 29-yard pass interference call against the Panthers. The drive ended with an eight-yard touchdown run by Robinson, and the lead grew to 17.

Despite offensive struggles under Mariota, another Seibert field goal gave the Commanders a 20-point lead after Carolina elected to attempt a fourth-and-1 on their own side of the field.

Mariota’s final drive of the half was his best of the game, capped off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz.

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