**Key matchup: ** Carolina leads the NFL in sacks (39) while Washington has allowed the third-fewest sacks this year (18).
**Key difference: ** The Panthers have a -2 turnover differential this season after leading the league with a +20 TO differential in 2015.
**Completion issues: **Cam Newton's 53.5 percent completion percentage is the worst among all qualified QBs this year.
**Kuechly's impact: **In Weeks 8-11 (with Kuechly), Carolina allowed 17.5 points per game. In Weeks 12-14 (without Kuechly), the Panthers allowed 30.3 PPG.
**Achilles heel: ** The Panthers defense allows an average of 272.4 passing yards per game this seaon (30th in NFL).