MIAMI GARDENS — Breaking down the Miami Dolphins at the Carolina Panthers:
Miami Dolphins (1-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)
The coaches: Miami – Mike McDaniel. Carolina – Dave Canales.
Last game: Dolphins beat Jets 27-21. Panthers lost to Patriots 42-13.
Last meeting: Dolphins won 42-21 at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 15, 2023.
Key matchups
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle vs. Panthers CBs Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn
Waddle’s first game as WR1 will test him. Horn made the Pro Bowl last year and is following that by clamping down on receivers even more, virtually cutting his opponents’ passer rating in half, down to 49.4. Horn is Pro Football Focus’ 30th-ranked corner. Jackson is 28th.
Dolphins DL vs. Panthers G Rob Hunt
Hunt left the Dolphins for Carolina’s $100 million free-agent offer. Now he gets to line up vs. Miami’s defensive front including old buddy Zach Sieler and Matthew Butler and rookies Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips. The Dolphins are 30th against the run.
Scouting report
Dolphins run offense vs. Panthers run defense
De’Von Achane rushed for 99 yards against the Jets, the only time a Dolphins back has run for more than 65 yards this season. The Panthers gave up 200 rushing yards to Jacksonville in their opener but cut that in half in their most recent game, against New England.
Edge: Dolphins
Dolphins pass offense vs. Panthers pass defense
We’ll get our first look at Miami’s attack without Tyreek Hill, with all eyes on Jaylen Waddle. Carolina’s pass defense is 12th in the NFL.
Edge: Panthers
Panthers run offense vs. Dolphins run defense
Chuba Hubbard, who leads Carolina with 217 yards, is not expected to play because of a calf injury. If the Dolphins can’t stop the run this game, it’s serious trouble for the rest of the season.
Edge: Dolphins
Panthers pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense
QB Bryce Young, who like Tua Tagovailoa is from Alabama, has a 77.1 passer rating, averaging 188.3 yards per game with five touchdowns and three interceptions. After getting sacked 62 times as a rookie, he has been sacked only six times this season. His top target is first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, who has 278 yards and a 15.4 average. Miami’s pass defense hasn’t been tested most of the season because teams have had success on the ground.
Edge: Even
Special teams
Riley Patterson continues to be perfect on field-goal attempts (he’s four for four) as he fills in for Jason Sanders. Punter Jake Bailey is off to a good start with a 43.7 net average and six punts inside the 20. Carolina’s Ryan Fitzgerald has a 57-yarder to his credit this season. Sam Martin averages 45.6 yards per punt, but his net average is only 27.0 because of a dismal day vs. the Patriots (167 return yards). Perhaps punt returner Malik Washington can capitalize.
Edge: Dolphins
Prediction
Boss, being the cruel person he is, wouldn’t let me turn in two predictions. If Panthers are the team they were two weeks ago, blowing out the Falcons 30-0, maybe they’d present problems for the Dolphins. But how do they go from pitching a shutout to allowing 42 points to the Patriots? (Answer, by being the Carolina Panthers, who last had a winning season in 2017.)
Pick: Dolphins 24, Panthers 13
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Can Miami Dolphins make it two in a row? Prediction for game vs. Carolina Panthers
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
