Does Carolina have a playoff-ready rushing game?
When the Panthers advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII two years ago, they had the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher in Stephen Davis. This time, they enter the playoffs with big-play artist Steve Smith tying for the NFL lead with 103 catches, while the 31-year-old Davis is on injured reserve with a bum knee. When DeShaun Foster bolted for 165 yards in Sunday’s playoff-clinching victory at Atlanta, it was just Carolina’s second 100-yard rushing game of the season — both achieved against the Falcons defense, which ended the year ranked 26th against the run. The Panthers didn’t suddenly become a passing team. They passed on 48% of their snaps, compared with 47% in 2003. The big difference is they rushed for 412 fewer yards than in 2003, an extra 25-plus yards a game that could come in handy when emphasis on ball control and reduced risk goes up a notch in the playoffs. Three: Is Washington the most dangerous team in the NFC? Coach Joe Gibbs takes his Redskins to face Tampa Bay with the longest curre
