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Panthers seek third straight win, face Redskins

Nov 21, 2006 - 10:41 PM Carolina (6-4) at Washington (3-7) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers may be starting to round into the team that they were expected to be.

The Panthers look for their third straight win Sunday when they face the Washington Redskins.

Considered the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl at the start of the season, the Panthers have won six of their last eight games following an 0-2 start.

Carolina is tied with New Orleans for first place in the NFC South, one game ahead of Atlanta.

Last Sunday, the Panthers tied a franchise record with seven sacks in a 15-0 victory over St. Louis. Carolina has allowed just one touchdown in its last two games.

Defensive end Julius Peppers is the anchor of the Panthers' defense. He leads the league with 11 sacks.

Against the Rams, the Panthers also found their running game, producing a team-record 242 rushing yards. Rookie DeAngelo Williams, who saw increased playing time after DeShaun Foster went down with an elbow injury, rushed for a season-high 114 yards on 20 carries.

The Panthers' defense could be in for another big day against the Redskins, who will give Jason Campbell his second career start.

A 2005 first-round pick, Campbell acquitted himself well in last week's 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay, completing 19-of-34 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

With Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis out for the season with a broken hand, the Redskins struggled to run the ball last week, producing just 64 yards on 20 carries.

Washington, which has lost five of its last six games, is in last place in the NFC East.

The Redskins are 6-1 all-time against the Panthers.