The Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins hobbled into Bank of America Stadium sporting identical 1-3 records on the season and both missing important pieces of their offense. Carolina was without starting running back Chuba Hubbard and the Dolphins lost wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the season last week. The game could potential hold high stakes for a couple of staff members also.

The Dolphins jumped out to a quick 17-0 league, with 14 of those points coming off a pair of turnovers by Carolina quarterback Bryce Young. The first, a strip sack by Bradley Chubb, paved the way for a 10-yard touchdown reception by De’Von Achane. The second – an interception by Minkah Fitzpatrick – led to a Darren Waller touchdown reception as the tight end position continues to cause problems for Carolina’s defense.

It looked to be a long day at the office for Young and Co. who dominated the Falcons in a 30-0 shutout in front of the home crowd just two weeks ago. However, the tide began to change in the second quarter, due in large part to 68 yards on the ground by running back Rico Dowdle. A 12-play drive culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Young to Xavier Legette. Defense forced a three-and-out and the Panthers were able to cut deeper into the lead before halftime courtesy of a 35-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald. 

Carolina got the ball first coming out of intermission and tacked on another field goal to get within 4 with 12:19 to play in the third quarter. The Panthers defense was staunch, forcing five straight punts going back to the Dolphins final possession of the first half. Dowdle, running strong all day with carries of 53 and 43 yards, hit pay dirt on a 1-yard touchdown carry to give Carolina their first lead of the day, 20-17 with 6:10 play. 

Malik Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to give the Dolphins favorable field position. Three plays later, Tua Tagovailoa hit a wide open Jaylen Waddle for a 46 yard touchdown to regain the lead for Miami 24-20 with 4:42 to play. Carolina did not go away quietly, orchestrating a 8-play, 83 yard drive with the go-ahead touchdown pass from Young to rookie tight end Mitchell Evans with 1:59 left in regulation. Defense stood tall, forcing the three-and-out with Pat Jones II providing the exclamation point with a sack on third down to force the punt. From there, a bit of clock management and a defensive holding penalty on the Dolphins sealed the 27-24 win for the Panthers. 

Dowdle finished with 206 rushing yards, 3 yards off from the franchise single-season rushing record of 209 yards. Young passed for 198 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-30 passing. Defensively, the Panthers held the Dolphins to a very slight 19 yards on the ground and fared well through the air outside of the large pass play to Waddle and a few first half chunk plays to Waller. Carolina improves to 2-3 on the season, 2-0 at home and will host the Dallas Cowboys in Week Six. Miami falls to 1-4 on the season. 

Sheena Quick

Sports mom/accountant/life-long athlete and lover of all sports.