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Josh Norman put an end to his 20-game streak without an interception, when the Redskins cornerback intercepted a wobbly deep pass from Carolina Panthers Cam Newton.
On a third down-and-16, Newton threw a desperation pass down field intended for wide receiver Devin Funchess, however, Norman had good coverage and the ball sailed short allowing Norman to track it and grab his first interception since Week 16 of the 2016 season.
Josh Norman already picking off Cam 👀
(via @Redskins) pic.twitter.com/hwauMv8PPN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 14, 2018
Norman had a tumultuous week after not playing his best football in Monday night’s loss to the New Orleans Saints and the halftime locker room incident with head coach Jay Gruden where Gruden grew upset Norman was wearing headphones as he addressed the team.
Newton on the other hand entered Sunday without throwing an interception against the Redskins in four starts against them. So, the storyline was set, Newton hadn’t throw an interception against the Redskins ever in his career. Norman was a headlines target with him playing his former team, the Panthers, who he spent his first four seasons in the NFL with.
Norman got the interception monkey off his and may have silenced some critics of his that appeared to grow after last week’s hardship.
What may get lost is the fact that was Norman’s second big play of that drive. On first down, Norman had good coverage on Curtis Samuel that allowed the Redskins pass rush to sack Newton and force a fumble which Carolina recovered. Norman’s interception was two plays later.
Panthers tried stetting up a deep pass to Samuel. Redskins had blanket coverage with Norman involved. Newton held the ball, then fumbled, but Carolina maintained possession.
14-0 after 1Q.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 14, 2018
Norman appears to get his swag back as on the next Carolina possession, Norman punched the football out of the hands of wide receiver D.J. Moore to force another turnover. The Redskins capitalized on Norman’s second forced turnover by adding a field goal to extend their lead to 17-0.
Josh Norman has intercepted Cam Newton and forced a fumble against DJ Moore in the first half.
It's Norman's second career game doing both (also Week 1 of 2015 vs Jaguars). pic.twitter.com/BDehJvEdWD
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 14, 2018
With the forced fumble, it was Norman’s second career game with an interception and forced fumble. Not bad for a guy that had so much heat on him leading into the game.
