Washington @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 14, 2018 ) Carolina 17, Washington 23

The Carolina Panthers can ill afford a letdown Sunday against the visiting Washington Redskins if they want to keep alive their flickering playoff chances. With three straight losses, the Panthers are three games out of a playoff spot in the NFC with just five to play, although there isn't any giving up in Charlotte.

"No one is cashing it in, for sure," quarterback Kyle Allen told reporters of the team's mindset. "I know we're 5-6, I know that's not where we want to be, but we've got five games left to turn this thing around." Allen did his part with three touchdown passes in a difficult 34-31 setback at New Orleans last Sunday that all but locked up the NFC South for the Saints. The Redskins are coming off their second win of the year, a 19-16 triumph over Detroit at home. Rookie Dwayne Haskins completed 13-of-29 passes for 156 yards and an interception in his third straight start.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Panthers -10. O/U: 39.5

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (2-9): Haskins started slow against Detroit but was 6-of-9 passing for 68 yards on his last two possessions, which led to two field goals, including the game-winner with 16 seconds left. "It's big. Obviously he comes from a big program; he's not used to losing. It's a sour taste in his mouth," right tackle Morgan Moses told reporters. "We all know he has big-play potential. This is about composure." Haskins has found some chemistry with wideout Terry McLaurin, who was targeted 12 times versus the Lions.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (5-6): Carolina enters Week 13 ranked second in the NFL with 41 sacks, but it will be without a key figure in that formula after defensive tackle Dontari Poe was lost for the season with a torn quadriceps. The two-time Pro Bowl selection was the anchor of the front seven and had four sacks of his own, tied for fourth on the team. The offensive line also lost a key figure in the form of starting left guard Greg Van Roten, who suffered a toe injury in the loss to New Orleans.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,123), rushing touchdowns (12) and total touchdowns (16).

2. Redskins K Dustin Hopkins is 11-for-12 on field goals over the last four games after hitting all four of his tries last week.

3. Carolina won five straight meetings before Washington took last year's encounter 23-17 at home.

PREDICTION: Panthers 23, Redskins 13