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On Monday night, the Carolina Panthers will head to our nation’s capital to face off against the Washington Redskins.
In an awkward meeting, the Carolina Panthers will face Josh Norman and the Washington Redskins in Washington on Monday Night Football.
In an interview earlier this week, Norman stated that he felt, “Stabbed in the back” by the Panthers after his franchise tag was rescinded in the offseason.
“At the end of the day, it seems as if I wasn’t worthy enough to be there. I got fired. I’m kind of taking it like that,” Norman added.
Norman will be continuing to prove himself and his new five year, $75 million deal when Cam Newton and the Carolina offense takes the field.
Defensively, Washington on paper is one of the less than stellar teams in the league. Washington
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has allowed the seventh most total yards, the ninth most passing yards, and the 12th most running yards. Washington also ranks 11th highest in average points allowed per game. While the Redskins are in a very competitive division, the offense led by Kurt Cousins and Robert Kelley seems to have picked up where the defense fails.
On the injury report, linebacker Luke Kuechly is expected to return to the field Monday night after a concussion has kept him sidelined for several weeks. For the Redskins, players of note are Ryan Kerrigan as questionable with a knee injury and Su’a Cravens listed as doubtful with a bicep injury.
Monday night under the lights, what Panthers are worthy of fantasy playoff lineups?
START:
Greg Olsen, TE- It has been another smooth and steady season for Greg Olsen, who is closing in on his third consecutive 1,000 yard receiving season. While Olsen has only found the end zone three times, Olsen is on track for another 80 receptions and 1,100 yards this year. Respectively, Olsen ranks in the top three in catches, targets, and receiving yards on the season among tight ends.
Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) catches a pass against Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) during the second half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Olsen has found his home in the Carolina offense, and without Kerrigan to defend the seam the Carolina mainstay seems to have a favorable matchup.
Jonathan Stewart, RB- Last week running back Jonathan Stewart had a summersault run, a touchdown, and a 66 yard performance. Stewart’s last game against Washington in 2015 ended with a receiving touchdown on a 12 yard catch and 102 yards on the ground on 21 carries.
Given the running game struggles and a couple key members of the front seven out for Washington, Stewart is a solid RB2 option for fantasy owners this week. With several running backs ailing at this point in the season, Stewart will look to provide consistency again for those who own him.
SIT:
Kelvin Benjamin- After last week’s performance that led many to question wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin’s effort, fantasy owners should let Benjamin ride the bench this week. While Norman will not being covering him the entire game, he will be on him for a majority of routes and as Panthers fans know, Norman has the ability to shut down an entire half of the field. Norman will be playing will an extra amount of fire in his already feisty game, and Benjamin has been limited in practice with a back injury this week.
