MARK MY WORDS: DC's Disastrous Day

By Mark Bacon

SKINS HUMILIATED ON THE ROAD

In their worst game of the season — worse than the whipping at the hands of the New England Patriots — the Washington Redskins were humiliated by a 44-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Skins can’t be taken seriously until they stop embarrassing themselves away from FedEx Field.

It's understandable to lose convincingly to Carolina, the current king of the NFC. The Panthers are that good. It’s another to be an accomplice in the Panthers’success.

Washington didn’t do anything right. And they weren’t the beneficiary of any luck. The game began competitively, with the teams tied at 14 after the first quarter. With 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, DC defensive back Chris Culliver intercepted a Newton pass and ran into the end zone, giving Washington its first lead. But on a VERY questionable call, the officials penalized Culliver for unnecessary roughness - a helmet-to-helmet hit - negating the touchdown and moving Carolina to Washington’s 13-yard line. The drive ended with Newton tossing a touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. A 14-point swing; Washington never recovered.

The Skins committed five turnovers, four of them fumbles.

The Panthers turned those five turnovers into 27 points. Carolina produced 368 total yards and 6.3 yards per play. Cam Newton threw for a career-high five touchdowns. But Washington assisted the Panthers’ dominance by giving them short fields, committing nine penalties, failing to run the ball (14 rushing yards in 12 carries), and not stopping the run (142 rushing yards allowed). It was DC’s worst day protecting Kirk Cousins, who was sacked five times.

They’re 0-5 on the road in 2015, and 1-12 during Coach Jay Gruden’s tenure.

Four of this season’s road losses have come by double figures. Gruden’s teams have lost 8 of 13 road games by at least 10 points.

GEORGETOWN’S DISAPPOINTING FINISH VS. DUKE

Grayson Allen lifted No. 5 Duke to the 2K Classic title, almost single handedly. It was quite a turnaround from being completely handcuffed against Kentucky.

Isaac Copeland led Georgetown (1-3) with 21 points, but was scoreless in the second half until hitting two late 3-pointers. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and freshman Kaleb Johnson tallied 14 points apiece.

L.J. Peak's dunk with early in the second half gave the Hoyas a 54-53 lead, but Duke responded with a 10-0 run. Allen started the surge with three free throws, and Amile Jefferson finished it off with a layup.

The Hoyas made a couple of charges at Duke, but the Blue Devils held on. Allen finished off a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer that made it 77-69 with 2:46 left.

The Hoyas closed to 86-84 on a 3-pointer by Copeland with 7 seconds left. In the ensuing action, frosh Derryck Thornton missed two free throws with 5.4 seconds remaining, but Ike Copeland's 3-point attempt at the buzzer was short.

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