Davis gave away the ball on Carolina's initial play. The Redskins took over at the Panthers 25 and got 20 yards on a pass-interference call on cornerback Terry Cousin against Coles. On third down from the 2, Ramsey handed the ball to Cartwright. The fullback had a clear path to the end zone but had the ball knocked loose by Brentson Buckner, and fellow defensive tackle Shane Burton recovered in the end zone for a touchback.
"I lost the ball," Cartwright said. "I cost us the game. . . . I thought I was across the line, but I wasn't. Somebody hit the ball and it came out."
Carolina's Muhsin Muhammad is brought down by Fred Smoot, left, and Jeremiah Trotter after a 28-yard gain in the second quarter. Muhammad caught nine passes for a season-high 189 yards.
(Chuck Burton - AP)
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 | Panthers 20, Redskins 17
• A late touchdown by ex-Redskin Stephen Davis gives the Panthers a victory, sends Redskins to 4-6.
• Boswell: Getting rid of Davis seemed like a good idea at the time.
• Wilbon: The Redskins simply lost to a team that has been both better -- and luckier -- all season.
• News Graphic: The Redskins score only three points off four turnovers.
• The game turns on two backs, two goal lines -- and one fumble.
• Forced to regroup, patient Panthers unwrap a passing game.
• News Graphic: The Redskins were accessed no penalties Sunday.
• Notebook: Rock Cartwright didn't take over as the featured runner.
• Play of the Game: Davis scores his disputed touchdown on a second-down play from the Redskins 3-yard line with 1:09 left.
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• Davis concedes this game was personal between him, Redskins.
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Smoot's tipped-ball interception and 35-yard return put the Redskins back in business at the Carolina 19. But Ramsey was sacked on third down by Cousin on a blitz, and place kicker John Hall yanked a 46-yard field goal try wide left.
"The defense did a great job giving us opportunities to win the game," Ramsey said, "and we didn't capitalize. . . . It's the height of frustration where football is concerned. We know we had opportunities to win that game and didn't do so."
Place kicker John Kasay's 25-yard field goal just more than two minutes into the second quarter put the Panthers in front, 3-0. The Redskins got even after Bowen set them up at the Carolina 39 with a 44-yard return of another deflected-pass interception. Hall's 23-yard field goal tied the game at 3, and it remained even at the break.
The Panthers took the lead on their opening possession of the second half. Delhomme dropped a pass over Armstead to Muhammad for a 30-yard gain and a first down at the Redskins 9. Panthers Coach John Fox left his offense on the field on fourth down from the 1. Delhomme rolled to his left and tried to sneak a pass to tight end Jermaine Wiggins. Armstead covered him. But defensive end Peppi Zellner got suckered to the inside, and Delhomme was able to run to the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
Ramsey was intercepted by Burton when he was hit by Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker, who sprinted around left tackle Chris Samuels, as he threw. But Kasay sent a 54-yard field goal try wide right, and the Redskins took advantage of the good field position they got from that missed kick to drive for a tying touchdown. McCants made a superb catch in the back of the end zone for a four-yard score with 11:57 left in the fourth quarter.
The Redskins did nothing after recovering a fumble by Muhammad -- caused by a wicked hit by Bowen -- and Muhammad outmaneuvered Smoot for a 40-yard catch. Davis followed with a 15-yard reception on a swing pass and Kasay connected from 26 yards for a 13-10 Panthers advantage with 5:24 to go. The Redskins, aided by a 29-yard interference penalty on cornerback Reggie Howard, responded quickly, as Ramsey connected with Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown and a 17-13 lead with 4:19 left.
Fox said he considered punting with the Panthers facing a fourth-and-one predicament from their 38 with 2:50 remaining. But Delhomme stood in against a rush and got the ball to Davis for a first down at the Redskins 37. Wide receiver Steve Smith made a leaping catch between Bowen and cornerback Champ Bailey for a 30-yard gain on the next play, and a four-yard run by Davis on first and goal set up the controversial finish. The Redskins got the ball back at their 27 with 1:05 to go, but Ramsey had four incompletions.
"The guys came down here and played with a lot of effort, I thought," Spurrier said. "We didn't play extremely well at times, especially on offense early. We had a chance to win, but it didn't work out."
