WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins are searching for street cred in Carolina.

Beating the New Orleans Saints 47-14 on Sunday was an eye-opener. Still, it’s one game and NFL brethren know the “Any Given Sunday” theory. And improving to 4-5 is fine until realizing all four victories were over teams also with four wins.

If Washington wants to be taken seriously when soon facing the NFC East-leading New York Giants after visiting Carolina on Sunday, the Redskins need to upset the unbeaten-but-not-unbeatable Panthers (9-0).

That’s how champions are made – beating the best and not surviving off the league’s bottom. The Redskins are only one-half game behind the Giants (5-5) for the NFC East lead while the Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) lost their quarterback and Dallas Cowboys (2-7) lost seven straight without their passer.

RELATED: Redskins Still Alive in NFC East Race

It’s a real down year for the NFC East and a rare chance for a rebuilding team like Washington to steal the crown. But nobody will fear the Redskins unless they upset the Panthers.

And Washington could do it.

It’s all about momentum, something the Redskins haven’t built since 2012 when winning their last seven games. There’s something about a winning streak that steals games, but the Redskins keep getting stuck on one.

“We’ve had a bad habit around here of not being able to follow up a victory with another victory,” coach Jay Gruden said.

Carolina isn’t a “Code Red” game that Washington thrives upon with three wins in “must-win” situations over St. Louis, Tampa Bay and New Orleans this season. But it’s important for the Redskins to show they won’t be bullied aside by Thanksgiving like many recent years. It’s the difference between finishing 5-11 and 9-7.

The next few weeks against the Panthers, Giants and Cowboys, respectively, will decide the Redskins’ fate. They’ve shown enough grit to counter punch, but also enough gaffes to go 0-4 on the road.

Beating Carolina would suddenly have NFC East foes saying, “Uh oh — the sleeper has awakened sooner than expected.”

The Redskins defense and special teams are average on a good day so it’s really on the offense for Washington to make a move. But expecting the running game to gain 213 yards while Cousins passes for 324, as was the case against the Saints, is unrealistic. At best, they may average half those totals. New Orleans’ defense is so bad it’s almost a throwaway statistically.

RELATED: Redskins Historically Dominant Against Saints

But Cousins’ recent surge of eight touchdowns and only one interception over the past three games is what the Redskins will need over the final seven weeks.

“Kirk’s going to take his lumps, but he’s going to keep grinding,” Gruden said. “Next week, the Carolina Panthers are going to have a whole different set of game plans for him. It’s going to be difficult, but he’s doing great.”

“Great” becomes legitimate for Cousins and Crew by beating Carolina.

Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter @Snide_Remarks.