Replay Saves Mitchell, Redskins

Brian Mitchell slammed his helmet to the ground and told everyone the fumble wasn’t a fumble. If ever there was a reason the owners voted to bring instant replay back, this was it.

Coach Norv Turner asked for a review, and the reverse angle showed Mitchell’s knee hitting the ground before the ball came loose on a punt return. The call was overturned, and the Washington Redskins drove 69 yards to set up Brett Conway’s game-winning, 31-yard field goal with six seconds remaining Sunday for a 38-36 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

“I was clearly down,” Mitchell said. “It shows you, instant replay was needed in this game, believe me. There were a lot of games lost last year because people made mistakes. Referees are human beings. They make mistakes too. So I’m glad they have it. . . . Shoot, I didn’t want to be the one to do something to make us lose the game.”

The instant replay reversal, which came with 4:19 to play, helped Washington’s top-ranked offense overcome another poor performance by its bottom-ranked defense and an even worse performance by the special teams.

The Redskins (3-1), winning their third consecutive game, piled up 418 yards, gave up 481 and were plagued by numerous special teams penalties, a fumbled kickoff and poor punting. They rallied from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit and blew a 35-24 fourth-quarter lead. Brad Johnson and his receiving corps had another outstanding game, and it was just enough.

Johnson completed 20 of 33 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns.

Carolina (1-3) was on the verge of its second consecutive victory when Steve Beuerlein threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Walls with 7:57 remaining.