Overview: This week’s match-up between the Carolina Panthers and the Miami Dolphins is a pivotal game for both teams’ playoff chances. The Panthers come into the game with a 7-3 record and currently hold the 5th seed in the NFC division. Three teams (Bears, 49ers, and Cardinals) are close behind the Panthers, each with a 6-4 record. The Dolphins are currently behind the New York Jets for the 6th seed in the AFC playoff picture with each team having a 5-5 record. The Dolphins are coming of a much needed victory against the San Diego Chargers a week ago at Sun Life Stadium. The Panthers are coming off their best victory of the season, beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots last Monday Night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers come into this inter-conference game riding a six game win streak and the Dolphins come into this week’s match-up having lost five of their last seven games, but have won two of their last three games. The Panthers and Dolphins have met four times in their respective series history. Miami (4-0) has yet to lose to the Panthers with two of those games coming in Miami and two in Charlotte. Panthers Offense vs. Dolphins Defense: Offensively the Panthers like to run the ball. They are 4th in the league in rushing attempts per game (31.5). The Panthers only average 4.0 yards per rush (18th in the NFL), but their commitment to the run nets them 125.3 yards rushing per game (10th in the NFL). DeAngelo Williams leads the team in rushing attempts (141) and yards (579). Cam Newton is second on the team in total rushing yards (328). The Dolphins rushing defense woes continued last week against the Chargers. Chargers running back Ryan Matthews averaged 6.7 yards per rush on 19 carries. This match-up heavily favors the Panthers. The Panthers passing attack is fueled by Cam Newton. Newton has 16 passing touchdowns on the season against only 8 interceptions. Newton’s quarterback rating of 91.5 ranks him 11th in the NFL among quarterbacks who have attempted 100 passes. Steve Smith leads the Panthers in receptions (46) and yards (512). Not far behind him is tight end Greg Olsen who has 40 receptions for 492 yards and 4 touchdowns. Former LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell also has 4 touchdown receptions for the Panthers and has emerged as a respectable target opposite Steve Smith. Mike Tolbert has emerged as a trusted pass blocker and pass catcher out of the backfield. Tolbert is the reliable power back and pass blocker and is the type of back that Miami desperately needs. He has player in 56% of the offensive snaps for the Panthers this year and Miami will see a heavy dose of Tolbert again this week. Bottom line is this offense will be a difficult match-up for the Dolphins defense (allowing 21.3 points per game, 9th in the NFL). The Panthers offensive line has been solid this year and has only allowed 28 sacks and 40 quarterback hits. The Panthers are averaging 23.8 points per game which is good enough for 15th in the NFL. Cam Newton poses a difficulty for the Dolphins pass rushers as a scrambling quarterback. The Dolphins front four must be able to generate pressure and contain Newton inside the pocket and not allow him to make big plays by running for first downs or buying more time and finding his play-makers (Steve Smith & Ted Ginn 17.1 yards per reception) down-field. The Panthers offense holds a slight edge over the Dolphins defense. Dolphins Offense vs. Panthers Defense: The Panthers boast one of the best front sevens in the game. The Panthers defensive line and line backers are great at stopping the run and getting pressure on quarterbacks in the passing game. The Panthers have racked up 31 sacks this season (9th in the NFL). The effectiveness of the front seven for the Panthers has allowed the secondary to haul in 14 interceptions (3rd in the NFL) and the Panthers defense has recovered 9 fumbles (4th in the NFL). The 23 total forced turnovers by the Panthers ranks 3rd in the NFL behind only the Seahawks (26) and Chiefs (24). The Panthers best defensive play-maker is at middle linebacker, Luke Kuechly. Kuechly has 87 total tackles this year with a sack and 3 interceptions. The Dolphins offense only managed 343 net yards against a Chargers defense that was allowing an average of 389.0 yards per game. Miami put up 20 points on a Chargers team that was allowing 22.2 points per game. Miami’s offense will need to play much better this week to keep Cam Newton and that Panthers offense off the field. Dolphins second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill had one interception against the Chargers and took four sacks. Tannehill and his wide receivers will have to work the boundary against the Panthers in order to have big plays in the passing game. The Panthers linebackers are solid in coverage, but the Panthers corner backs can be exposed. The MCL injury to Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson helps benefit the Dolphins offensive line. Johnson leads the Panthers with 8.0 sacks on the season. Johnson is questionable to play this Sunday, but even if he does he will not be as effective as usual. Miami will have to find creative ways to rush the ball against the Panthers. The Panthers come into this match-up allowing only 84.5 yards per game, 3rd best in the NFL. The Panthers have an edge in this match-up of offense versus defense. The Skinny: The Panthers hold advantages over the Dolphins in almost all aspects of this match-up. The home field should help the Dolphins (a little) and the fact that Miami has an extra day to prepare (Panthers played on Monday night) might be enough to help the Dolphins pull off the upset. If the Dolphins want to win this game they will need to force Cam Newton and the Panthers offense into turnovers. The Dolphins will need to take care of the ball offensively and need to make big plays in th passing game. The Dolphins pass catchers should have the edge against the Panthers corner backs and will need to take advantage of their mismatches. Vegas has the line at -4.5 in favor of the Panthers with the over/under at 41 as of today (11/21).
Hmm, do keep in mind game plans change from week to week, the Pamphers run the ball which means our game plan changes. More gap control and not so much emphasis on getting up field to rush the passer. In fact w/Newton that would be a bad idea
Eh, maybe, thing is when you use a spy on a Qb, he then can't really do much else. Would suspect someone like Jones or maybe Wheeler will spy him rather than blitz or try to penetrate to blow up running plays Also means Grimey has to be in Smith's hip pocket, tough assignment for him
Jordan is a better athlete then those guys and Jones will likely have to cover Olsen. They used Jordan to spy Luck a lot against the Colts. Smith moves around a lot and plays in the slot often. Wilson will have a tough match-up in the slot when Smith is lined up there.
Very well written post. It's going to be a touch game for the Dolphins. The Dolphins could come out with a win if they play smart football. Don't count on Grimes to shut down Smith they played each other two games a year for five years. Smith got in his head really bad once to the point where Grimes was benched for the rest of the game.
Yes and when Miami came in on 3rd downs with their "speed package" Jordan lined up over Center and was the spy on Luck. I expect the same for the Dolphins against Cam this week. Jordan will spy Cam on obvious passing downs.
Yes he did. All in the "speed package". If you re-watch his snaps on 3rd downs in the game, he lines up over the center and is spying Luck. It would be a good idea to use him this way against Cam on obvious passing downs.
Very bad match up for us, but then again that's why they play the game. My hope is the Panthers playing on the road maybe gives us a chance and Cam can maybe help us out with some turnovers. I would rely on that too much either though because Cam has been taking care of the ball this year.
That is true, but if you go back and watch his snaps, he is in on 3rd downs in the "speed package" and is spying Luck. I think Coyle will use him this same way against Cam. I expect Jordan to get a hell of a lot more than 8 snaps also.
He got 22 last game I believe..lets hope there's more to come, i know it isn't about being in shape, Jordan had the highest VO2 max of any player in the draft..(came from a source who calls himself GM davenport, works directly with combine)
Grimes has shut down every receiver this year. Perhaps you've forgotten that Smith isn't in his prime anymore. Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk
I hope they get him more snaps. He is our most athletic guy in the front 7 and his versatility is unmatched on this team. He can rush the passer, cover TEs, and spy athletic QBs. Coyle needs to find ways to get him on the field more. Even if that means as a LB and benching Wheeler.
