Video: 5 key plays from Panthers vs. Washington and what it means for Week 12

The Panthers’ inability to finish close games is a trend that keeps plaguing Carolina. In two seasons under head coach Matt Rhule, the Panthers are 5-12 in one-score games, including a 2-4 mark this season.

Against Washington, Cam Newton and the offense had the ball twice while down one score late in the fourth quarter, but generated only 32 yards on 10 plays. Coach Matt Rhule stressed his offense must find a way to win when they possess the ball last.

Often football comes down to the final few moments. However, that unfairly discounts the prior 50-plus plays. Before the Panthers needed a touchdown to win, they had already allowed 190 yards rushing on 40 carries. Remember, quarterback Taylor Heinicke converted a critical fourth-and-three from the Panthers’ 43 yard line that eventually led to a Joey Slye go-ahead field goal.

Of course, late game heroics matter. But the plays in between paint an accurate and complete picture as to why a team won or lost.

In this video, I break down five plays that helped decide the outcome of the Panthers-Washington game and explain what it means going forward for Carolina.