LANDOVER - Look no further than last year's meeting between the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers to understand why both teams made major defensive changes in the offseason.

The Redskins rallied from a 21-point deficit and posted a wild 38-36 victory over the Panthers here last October 3 when Brett Conway kicked a 31-yard field goal with six seconds left.

The Panthers took a 36-35 lead when Steve Beuerlein threw a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wesley Walls midway through the fourth quarter.

With just over five minutes remaining, Carolina recovered an apparent fumble by Brian Mitchell at the Washington 31. But coach Norv Turner challenged the call and an instant replay showed that Mitchell's knee went down after an initial hit before he fumbled. Redskins quarterback Brad Johnson then directed a 12-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Conway's field goal.

Johnson completed 20-of-33 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Michael Westbrook caught eight passes for 140 yards and a pair of scores and Albert Connell had five receptions for 134 yards.

Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 123 yards on five carries in the first quarter alone, breaking off touchdown runs of 60, one and 45 yards as the Panthers raced to a 21-0 lead. He finished with 142 yards on 12 carries.

Beuerlein passed for 334 yards and a touchdown and Muhsin Muhammad had eight receptions for 151 yards.

Determined to revive a defense that ranked 30th last season, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder went on a spending frenzy and landed premier premier cover cornerback Deion Sanders, legendary pass-rushing defensive end Bruce Smith and safety Mark Carrier, and used the second overall pick in the draft on linebacker LaVar Arrington.

Ray Rhodes was hired as defensive coordinator and will use an attacking scheme with his front seven, especially with Sanders and emerging star Champ Bailey manning the corners. Still fast at 40, Darrell Green moves to nickel back.

Panthers coach George Seifert, who made his reputation as a defensive coordinator with San Francisco, went all out to improve a unit that ranked 26th in the league last year.

His biggest move was to lure All-Century defensive lineman Reggie White, the NFL's all-time sack leader, out of retirement. He played well in the preseason and will rotate on the line at both end and tackle.

The Panthers also signed free agent ends Chuck Smith and Jay Williams, tackle Eric Swann, outside linebacker Lee Woodall and cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock to upgrade their defense. The new defense will be put to an immediate test against NFC rushing leader Stephen Davis.

Washington has won all four meetings with the Panthers.