NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Ravens perched atop AFC, Packers bounce back

24. Washington Redskins (28)

It was one thing for the Washington Redskins to defeat the Detroit Lions in Week 12 since the team was playing without Matthew Stafford on offense, but defeating the Carolina Panthers on the road Sunday was a whole new level of impressive.

Since the Panthers were on the verge of desperation mode, a meeting at home against a struggling team in the Redskins appeared to be the perfect way for Ron Rivera‘s squad to get back on the winning track.

As Carolina would eventually find out, this would turn out to be far from the case after Washington found a way to earn the 29-21 win, the second win in a row for the Redskins.

And while there will be plenty of talk surrounding rookie Dwayne Haskins winning his second game as the starter, Washington should be most thrilled about Derrius Guice having himself a career day in the ground game.

The Redskins were crushed to see the young running back miss all of last season with a knee injury, but watching Guice shred the Panthers for 129 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 10 carries shows what kind of potential he has on offense.

Sunday’s performance doesn’t necessarily guarantee that Guice will become a top running back in the league, but if Washington continues to be patient, this seems like it will pay off in a big way.