The Dolphins (4-7) are at home this weekend as they face the Carolina Panthers (5-6). Carolina is the favorite in this game by less than a field goal as the line is two and a half points. The Dolphins are riding a three-game winning streak, as they beat the Jets last weekend. As for the Panthers, they beat a great Cardinals team in Week 10, and then lost to the Washington Football last week in a close game. This article will preview the Miami Dolphins’ Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers.
Passing could be a struggleÂ
The Panthers come into this game boasting one of the best passing defenses in the league. Carolina is ranked number one in passing yards allowed, as they have only given up an average 171 passing yards a game. The Dolphins will need to find ways to get the ball down the field and challenge this secondary. Carolina features safety Jeremy Chinn who is a beast, as he is a great tackler. He is also great at defending the pass and teams do not want to throw his way. He has 71 tackles on the season, one forced fumble and three passes defended.
The Dolphins best chance at passing would be utilizing the screen pass. They have a lot of speedy receivers such as Jaylen Waddle, Albert Wilson and even Isiah Ford. All three of these receivers could set up some explosive plays in the screen passing game. The Dolphins will have to take shots at some point. Â Tagovailoa will have to be accurate and put the ball in a position where his receivers can come down with it.
Dolphins will have to utilize the runÂ
If the Dolphins fail at passing, then they could have to fall back on their running backs. Myles Gaskin is coming off his best game all year against the Jets. He had 23 carries for 89 yards in that game. If Gaskin can produce again this game, then this would be another pro for the Dolphins. This would set play-action plays where they can get Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe involved. Let’s also not count out Waddle going deep and getting an explosive play-action play that way as well. The Dolphins have struggled with the run this year, but Carolina has a middle-of-the-road rushing defense, and the Dolphins need to play to Carolina’s weaknesses.
Challenges for the Dolphins DefenseÂ
First off, the Dolphins will have to deal with Carolina’s star running back in Christian McCaffrey. He is speedy and elusive. He can also grind out some tough yardage as well. Miami’s defense will need to contain him and not let him get in the 2nd and 3rd levels of their defense. Not only can McCaffrey run but he can also catch the ball. Just last week against Washington, he scored a beautiful touchdown reception from Cam Newton. McCaffrey went into motion and ran a seam route and burned that Washington defense.
PHENOMENAL THROW FROM QB1 TO CMC!!!
????: FOX pic.twitter.com/xhdAQQFas5
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 21, 2021
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Miami will also have to deal with returning Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Newton is known for being a prolific running quarterback but can also pass. Newton is big and fast, which makes it tough for defenses to tackle him. Most of all the Dolphins will need to watch him in the red zone, as Carolina loves to run him in that area of the field. The Dolphins will need to bring pressure to Cam Newton to throw off his passing, but they will also have to contain his rushing attack as well. The Dolphins have their work cut out for them on defense. This concludes this Miami Dolphins’ Week 12 game preview.
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