I see the Dolphins as a tough match up. The Dolphins lost three close games to the Ravens, Bills and Bucs they easily could of won which would have put them at 8-2 and leading the AFC East. I would view this game as a very even match up for the the Panthers but, Rivera has built a roster from top to bottom that can dismantle teams like the Dolphins and work them over from start to finish and the Incognito scandal having the team in turmoil right now doesn't help. We will most likely be without our best pass rusher Charles Johnson, but that is one of the only positions we can afford an injury at right now. Backups Frank Alexander and Mario Addison can both put pressure on the quarterback. We live and die by the pass rush and we all know what the Dolphins offensive line is like right now.
The Breakdown
Is this a for sure win for the Panthers? No. Do the Panthers have the edge? Yes. The Panthers success this season has come from converting so many third downs this season. With Cams size and athleticism and Mike Tolbert's 255 Pound frame, I see them having a hard time stopping us from converting third downs considering the Dolphins have the 25th ranked rush defense.The 4 headed monster in the backfield will be hard at work Sunday. Tampa held the Dolphins to 2 rushing yards. Yes you read that correctly, TWO yards. that is mostly because Tampa has a top ten rush defense, Carolina on the other hand has a top three rush defense.
The Dolphins have a lot of of targets in the passing game with Hartline, Wallace, Clay, Gibson and Mathews, weapons like that could be a problem for the Panthers secondary but, our secondary is highly unknown and underrated "The Legion of Whom?" as Jon Gruden said on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins also have a decent backfield with Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas.
With Incognito and Martin obviously not playing and the chance of Mike Pouncey being out who might need his ballbladder removed. Tannehill is going to get hit hard and often. Tannehill this season has failed to hit his receivers in stride and that could spell trouble with the Dolphins facing a defense that loves to force a quarterback into ill-advised throws and intercepting the ball. When the ball is thrown over 20+ yards Tannehill only completes 23.5% of his passes to Mike Wallace. While he is completeing 40% to the rest of the team. Tannehill Has to bring his A game if he wants to win Sunday.
On the other side of the ball the Dolphins have the 19th ranked pass defense and the 25th ranked rush defense. The defense is ranked 20th overall giving up 3649 Yards to the Panthers 2940. The Dolphins are also giving up 22.5 Points a game to the Panthers league leading 13.5
If everything goes at planned Panthers 27 Dolphins 13. if Newton comes out flat and we give up 2+ turnovers 24-17 Dolphins.
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