It's week 6 and the Dolphins (4-1) are at home once again to take on the winless Panthers (0-5). Miami looks to move to 5-1 before heading to Philadelphia next weekend to take on the Eagles.
Last Week:
- Miami defeated the Giants 31-16
- Carolina lost to the Lions 42-24
Advantages:
QB: Dolphins
- Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young will face off for the first time in their young careers in a game that I am sure many Crimson Tide fans will be eager to watch. Bryce Young has had his moments in his first 4 starts but he is far away from the class that Tua Tagovailoa is in right now.
RB: Dolphins
- Even with De'Von Achane lost for a few weeks (can we turn off the injury slider please?) Miami's backfield is far superior than Carolina. Myles Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract this off-season and has contributed 3.1 yards per carry, 2 lost fumbles, and 0 touchdowns so far. Chubba Hubbard has played well in spurts but Mostert, Jeff Wilson, who should be off IR this week, and Salvon Ahmed make up a far superior unit.
WR: Dolphins
- Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Cedric Wilson, Chase Claypool, Robbie Chosen vs Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Jonathan Mingo, Terrance Marshall. Yeah. Advantage Miami.
TE: Panthers
- Durham Smythe has been fine but I still think the combo of Hurst and Ian Thomas is a really good one for Carolina. They just have to get them going.
OL: Dolphins
- Once again the Dolphin's offensive line is balling out. Miami had another 200 yard rushing performance against the Giants and the group only allowed the talented Giants DL to get 1 sack and 2 QB hits. Meanwhile Carolina hasn't been horrible up front. The group has allowed 15 sacks but they aren't opening up many consistent rushing lanes for their backs.
DL/EDGE: Dolphins
- The best overall player in this game resides in Carolina in one Brian Burns. But outside of Burns' 4 sacks, the Panthers don't have much on the edge. Yetur Gross-Matos is playing fairly well recording 2.5 sacks so far after a down first couple of seasons in the league but he has still been hit or miss. Miami is coming off a performance in which Bradley Chubb, AVG, Emmanuel Ogbah, Zach Sieler, and Christian Wilkins all got after the QB and I expect that to remain the same this week. Especially if this is the week Jaelen Phillips returns from injury.
LB: Push
- Frankie Luvu and David Long's play last week are what make this a push but make no mistake, neither unit is particularly good. Kamu Grugier-Hill and Jerome Baker both make a splash play here or there but neither is consistent.
CB: Dolphins
- Dante Jackson is a fine player and CJ Henderson has largely been a disappointment since being drafted #9 by the Jaguars in 2020. Kader Kohou moved back to the slot and Miami put Eli Apple back at boundary corner and the defensive backs were much improved this week than against the Bills (Yes the Giants are awful I understand).
S: Dolphins
- Jevon Holland and De'Shon Elliott continue to be a solid duo for Miami and there is a clear defense in the coverage on the backend when Elliott is in and Brandon Jones is out. I am still waiting for those impact/splash plays from the duo but hopefully those come soon. While I think Miami's duo is better, Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods is a fine safety duo as well and Jeremy Chinn as a hybrid player is a guy to watch as he's been pretty up and down after his first two seasons in the league and is seeing the field less and less but is still a talented player who will move all around the field.
Key Injuries
Miami lost start rookie De'Von Achane to a knee injury that will sideline him for at least a few weeks as he landed on IR on Wednesday but the running back room should see Jeff Wilson return from IR this week. Nik Needham and Robert Jones also could be fully activited this week but Miami has slow played injuries so we might be a week away from them returning. The biggest concern right now is the availability of Connor Williams. Williams did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of his groin injury which is a major concern for Miami. Jaelen Phillips feels like he is a week away from being back but we shall see what happens with that, Miami is clearly slow playing it. For Carolina, Xavier Woods didn't play Sunday and will probably be out this week after two straight DNPs. Brian Burns and Derrick both went from limited on Wednesday to DNP on Thursday which may be vet rest but we will have to see what their injury designation is Friday.
Key Story Lines
Tua vs Bryce is a fun story line as the two former Alabama QBs face off for the first time but to me the key story to this game is whether or not Miami can take care of business and play a clean game offensively and take the ball away defensively. After a 3 turnover week, Miami has to be smarter with the ball. Tua's 5 interceptions through 5 games isn't ideal and the backs have started to put the ball on the ground a bit too much. Carolina isn't good defensively and just allowed Detroit to score 42 points on them. I hope that Miami can take care of business, put up some points, and take care of the football.
The defense also has a great chance to finally get some turnovers. Miami only has 2 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries so far this season and 3 of those turnovers came in the 70-20 victory over the Broncos.
Game Preview/Key to Victory for Miami
Offensively you are playing one of the better defenses in terms of stopping the pass (6th in the league at 185 ypg) but Jared Goff just threw for 236 yards and 3 TDs against them and they haven't played a QB that is playing at Tua's level this year.
Fangio gets to go against a rookie QB which hopefully leads to an impressive performance by the defense. Bryce Young throws the ball short more than Tua did as a rookie which will once again test the tackling of the Dolphins. The good news for Miami is that Carolina possesses 0 receivers who get consistent separation. The 33 year old Adam Thielen is the team's leading receiver he's past his prime. There is no reason why this defense shouldn't come out and dominate the Panthers.
PREDICTION:
Dolphins 34 Panthers 13