Final Score: Carolina 20, Washington 17

Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Jonathan Stewart's eight-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference, as the Carolina Panthers rallied for a 20-17 win over the Washington Redskins.

Jake Delhomme threw for 181 yards on 16-of-25 passing with a touchdown and an interception, while Stewart rushed for 39 yards on 10 touches for Carolina (1-3), which suffered a 21-7 loss to Dallas on September 28 prior to their bye week. The Panthers rallied from a 17-2 deficit in the third quarter.

"We got a win and we are so thankful right now," Delhomme said. "It's been a long time coming. This wasn't pretty. This was a gritty win. Our defense played great. Our special teams came up huge for us today."

Jeff King had a TD grab and DeAngelo Williams was limited to 40 yards on 18 carries for the Panthers, who won for only the second time in nine tries against Washington. Steve Smith had five catches for 65 yards, including a two-point conversion reception.

Jason Campbell finished 17-of-23 passing for 145 yards and a TD, while Clinton Portis ran 19 times for 57 yards with a score and also added a receiving touchdown for the Redskins (2-3), who were coming off a 16-13 win over Tampa Bay on October 11.

"I don't think we're jinxed," Redskins head coach Jim Zorn said about the team's recent misfortunes. "I think you play the game the way it falls. I felt like we would move the ball and then their defense got us a couple times."

Andre Carter finished with 2 1/2 sacks for Washington, which extended its road losing streak to six straight games.

With Carolina trailing 17-12 near the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter, a muffed punt by Byron Westbrook gave the Panthers the ball on the Washington 12. Stewart then burst up the middle for an eight-yard TD run on the second play of the set and a Delhomme-to-Smith two-point conversion put the hosts up 20-17.

Washington would only get to midfield on its ensuing drive and was forced to punt. With the Redskins out of timeouts at the two-minute warning, Delhomme converted a 3rd-and-8 with a nine-yard run and Carolina was able to run out the clock to escape with the win.

Washington capitalized on a Carolina miscue early in the contest and turned it into a quick seven points. Williams fumbled on the Panthers' first play from scrimmage with the Redskins recovering at the Carolina 13. Then on the second play of the set, Campbell got the ball to Portis, who took the screen pass and waltzed into the end zone for the 10-yard score.

Carolina was in great position in the early stages of the second with a 1st- and-goal at the two, but after three straight run plays were unsuccessful, Brad Hoover got the carry on fourth down and fumbled before scoring. The Panthers challenged the play, but it was upheld.

The Redskins took over at the Carolina one and, after a short gain by Campbell, Portis was tackled in the end zone by Thomas Davis for a safety. Shaun Suisham added a 38-yard field goal with just under two minutes remaining in the half for a 10-2 Washington lead that held up heading into the break.

DeAngelo Hall picked off a Delhomme pass on the Panthers' first offensive set of the third quarter and returned it 44 yards to the one-yard line. Portis then went over the top of the pile for the touchdown on the first play of the set for a 17-2 Redskins advantage.

Delhomme redeemed himself on the Panthers' ensuing drive, hitting King for a 17-yard score. John Kasay's 43-yard field goal in the first minute of the fourth trimmed the Carolina deficit to 17-12.

Game Notes

Carolina will play at Tampa Bay next Sunday, while Washington hosts Kansas City...Redskins offensive lineman Chris Samuels (stinger) left in the first quarter and did not return.