Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers
Final Score: Panthers 27, Miami 24
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
What started as a one-sided blowout turned into a shocking comeback as the Carolina Panthers stormed back to defeat the Miami Dolphins. The Panthers struggled early — turnovers, stalled drives, and an offense that couldn’t find rhythm left them in a deep hole. But once they leaned on their run game, the tide turned. Carolina’s ground attack became the key to its comeback, wearing down Miami’s defense and setting the tone in the second half.
For the Dolphins, things looked electric out of the gate. They jumped out to a 17-0 lead, showing flashes of the explosive offense fans have come to expect. But after halftime, it all unraveled. Miami’s inconsistent second-half offense failed to sustain drives, leaving their defense exposed — and the Panthers capitalized in dominant fashion.
Three Up
- Darren Waller — Waller had a strong first few drives for the Dolphins. Looks to be a potent weapon for the Dolphins’ offense.
- Jaylen Waddle — The Return of Waddle as the main target is back, as he was able to get over 100 yards against the Panthers.
- Rico Dowdle — Next-man-up mentality for the Panthers’ backfield as Dowdle would rush for over 200 yards.
Three Down
- Dolphins’ run game — Neither De’Von Achane nor Ollie Gordon was able to get anything going on the ground.
- Malik Washington — Would see five targets against the Panthers, but finished with zero yards.
- Tommy Tremble — After being very involved last week, Tremble disappeared in the Panthers’ offense against a favorable matchup.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovaolia: 27/36 , 256 Yards, 3 TDs | 1 Carry, 5 Yards,
Despite the team’s collapse, Tua Tagovailoa finished with strong numbers on the stat sheet. It was clear, however, that there was a stark difference in his play under pressure versus a clean pocket. When protected, Tua looked poised and in total command of Miami’s quick-tempo offense — delivering sharp, on-time throws and hitting his receivers perfectly in stride.
Both of his touchdowns showcased his precision and touch: one on a fade to De’Von Achane, and another on a deep strike to Jaylen Waddle that highlighted his anticipation and accuracy downfield.
Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly for Tagovailoa, especially when facing pressure. On key third-down situations, the Dolphins’ offensive line faltered, and Tua struggled to extend plays — leading to stalled drives that shifted momentum back to Carolina.
A few plays didn’t go Tua’s way, either. Alec Ingold dropped a wide-open pass that likely would’ve gone for more than 20 yards, killing what could have been a big gain. Later, a 19-yard completion to Waddle was wiped out by a penalty.
He also missed Waddle on what could have been a touchdown, overthrowing him deep on a poor throw — though he redeemed himself later on that same drive. On a crucial late-game possession, Tagovailoa once again overthrew Waddle and nearly tossed an interception right into the hands of a defender. It was another example of a recurring issue this season: turnover-worthy throws on deep crossing routes.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: 10 Carries, 16 Yards | 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 30 Yards, TD
It wasn’t a great day on the ground for De’Von Achane, despite finding the end zone early. He was largely inefficient as a rusher, struggling to find running lanes behind an offensive line that failed to create much space.
Most of Achane’s impact came through the receiving game, where he showcased his elite body control on a beautiful touchdown grab with a defender draped all over him — managing to stay in bounds for the score. Outside of that highlight, however, his touches were limited to short dump-off passes that were quickly bottled up by Carolina’s defense.
Ollie Gordon: 3 Carries, -2 Yards
Alec Ingold: 1 Target
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaylen Waddle: 9 Targets, 7 Receptions, 110 Yards, TD
The return of Jaylen Waddle as the Dolphins’ clear-cut WR1 is officially in full effect. Waddle looked fantastic in this game, reclaiming his role as the focal point of Miami’s passing attack. He ran sharp routes, excelled in contested catch situations, and consistently won on inside post and intermediate routes from Tagovailoa.
Waddle made cornerback Mike Jackson look overmatched for much of the afternoon. His highlight play came on a 46-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown, where he easily beat Jackson deep with no safety help over the top. Waddle was also very close to having two touchdowns in this game but was stopped short at the 2-yard line. He also had a 19-yard gain wiped out by a holding penalty, but it didn’t take away from what was an outstanding performance.
Malik Washington: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 0 Yards
Second-year receiver Malik Washington was expected to step up in Tyreek Hill’s absence, but his role in the offense remained largely unchanged. He continued to contribute on special teams as a returner, while his offensive usage was confined mostly to short screen passes and quick plays near the line of scrimmage.
The Panthers quickly caught on to those tendencies, shutting down Washington’s opportunities after the catch. Despite the increased attention heading into the week, he remained a secondary option — likely the fourth target at best in Miami’s offensive hierarchy.
Darren Waller: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 78 Yards, TD
Out of nowhere, veteran tight end Darren Waller came alive in the first quarter for the Dolphins’ offense. Tagovailoa looked his way early and often, and the connection paid off. Waller consistently found soft spots in Carolina’s coverage, giving his quarterback a reliable target on key plays.
His biggest highlight came on a 34-yard catch over the deep middle, showcasing his athleticism and route savvy. Unfortunately, his day was short-lived — after the midway point of the second quarter, Waller didn’t see another target. The Panthers made effective adjustments in coverage, and Waller disappeared from Miami’s offensive game plan for the rest of the afternoon.
Julian Hill: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 22 Yards,
Tanner Conner: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 19/30, 198 Yards, 2 TDs, INT , Fum (Lost) | 3 Carries, 1 Yard
It was a night-and-day performance from Bryce Young in this matchup. In the first half, Young struggled heavily under pressure, unable to find much rhythm outside of his connection with Tetairoa McMillan. He committed two costly turnovers — one on an overthrown interception intended for Xavier Legette, and another on a fumble during an RPO exchange. While he did manage to throw a touchdown, the first 20 minutes of the game were rough and filled with mistakes.
In the second half, however, Young settled in as more of a game manager, allowing the run game to take control. He made smarter decisions, including a well-placed touchdown pass to Mitchell Evans with a defender in his face. Though his yardage totals weren’t impressive after halftime, his efficiency and composure improved noticeably. He did almost having a rushing touchdown late in the game but he was unable to convert.
That said, this game still doesn’t change the overall evaluation — Young remains inconsistent and hasn’t yet proven he can be a high-level NFL quarterback. His poise in the second half was encouraging, but the turnovers and early struggles remain a concern.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: 23 Carries, 206 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 3 receptions, 28 Yards
It was indeed a RICO day, as Rico Dowdle completely dominated against the Dolphins. We all know Miami’s defense has struggled to contain the run — and Dowdle made them pay for it. It took the Panthers a little while to get going offensively, but once the mid-second quarter hit, Dowdle never looked back.
He was explosive throughout the game, recording at least five runs of 13 or more yards, including two runs of over 40 yards. Dowdle consistently found daylight, often gaining 5 yards before first contact, and showed great vision and burst through Miami’s front.
Even in the receiving game, Dowdle added valuable yardage, contributing as a reliable checkdown option. His all-around performance was a huge factor in Carolina’s comeback win. While it’s uncertain what his role will look like once Chuba Hubbard returns, Dowdle took full advantage of a favorable matchup and proved he deserves a bigger share of the workload. It is important to note that he did get banged up in this game and did miss a drive or two for the Panthers.
Trevor Etienne: 4 Carries, 22 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tetairoa McMillan: 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 73 Yards
Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan put in work against the Dolphins’ secondary, emerging as one of the key pieces in Carolina’s passing attack. McMillan was a zone-coverage killer, consistently finding soft spots in Miami’s defense and presenting an easy target for his quarterback.
Nearly everything thrown his way resulted in a completion, and after the catch, he used his big-bodied frame to fight for extra yardage. While his overall upside may be somewhat capped with Young at quarterback, this was a strong and encouraging performance from the rookie receiver — one that could earn him a bigger role moving forward. It is important to note that the Dolphins did adjust and McMillan only had one catch after halftime.
Xavier Legette: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 31 Yards, TD
After missing the last few games, former first-round pick Xavier Legette made his return to the field against the Dolphins. While his opportunities were limited, he made the most of his touches. Legette hauled in a tough touchdown grab, extending his arms to secure the catch with a defender draped over him. His second target was an overthrown ball by Young that would result in a pick.
Later, he showcased his speed on a short reception that turned into a 24-yard gain, flashing the big-play ability that made him a first-round selection. Legette finished second on the team in receiving yards, and while he hasn’t fully displayed his potential yet, his performance was an encouraging step forward in this Panthers offense.
Tommy Tremble: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
After a solid Week 4 performance, Tommy Tremble looked poised to build on that momentum in a favorable matchup — but that didn’t materialize. He wasn’t involved much in the offense and wasn’t targeted until late in the second half. Tremble remains an inconsistent part of the passing game, and at this point, he’s unlikely to develop into a steady weapon for the Panthers’ offense.
Jimmy Horn Jr.: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards | 2 Carries, 10 Yards
This was Jimmy Horn Jr.’s first active game in the NFL, and while his impact was limited, the Panthers clearly made an effort to get him involved with a few designed plays. His best moment came late in the game on a 17-yard sideline grab — a well-executed deep corner route that showcased his speed and body control.
It will be interesting to see how his role develops moving forward, as the coaching staff has consistently praised his explosiveness and emphasized their desire to get him more involved in the offense.
Hunter Renfrow: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Mitchell Evans: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards, TD
Brycen Tremayne: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
James Mitchell: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards