The Carolina Panthers rallied from a 17-0 deficit to take down the Miami Dolphins, 27-24.
First Quarter
The Panthers had to start the game with their defense on the field, and they were not ready to go. The Dolphins moved the ball pretty easily using their trademark motion and quick hitting plays. They moved into the red zone with a big pass to Darren Waller down the seam, but that was where the drive would stall. Nic Scourton blew up a screen then Derrick Brown sacked Tua to force the drive to end in a field goal.
The Panthers ensuing drive was similar. A couple of modest plays were followed by a 30 yard gain to Tetairoa McMillan. The drive also ended there, but this one was a self inflicted end. Bryce Young kneed the ball out of his own hand trying to juke a defender, and it was picked up by a defender to end the drive.
The next Dolphins possession was more of the same. They took it 58 yards in a whopping 14 plays. They dinked and dunked down the field before the last dink led DeVon Achane into the end zone to put the Dolphins up 10-0.
Second Quarter
Young again sabotaged the next Panthers drive with a turnover. He tried to step up in the pocket but kind of stepped into traffic. He air mailed his pass attempt and it was picked off.
The Dolphins took advantage of the good field position and quickly worked inside the five on a quick pass to Jaylen Waddle. On the next play, Tua found Waller in between Tevin Wallace and Jaycee Horn to put the Dolphins up three scores.
Fortunately the Panthers were able to stabilize things from there. Rico Dowdle broke off a couple big runs to get the drive started and then another big pass play to McMillan took the Panthers inside scoring range. Young hit Xavier Legette in the back corner of the end zone to restore some faith.
An A’Shawn Robinson sack derailed the Dolphins attempt at a response, and that got the ball back for the home team quickly. They manufactured another scoring drive going into the half. Dowdle ripped off another big run to start the drive. Young was able to nickel and dime down the field to set up another score. Ryan Fitzgerald kicked home a field goal to make it a one score game heading into the half.
Third Quarter
Dowdle ripped off another big run, this time for 53 yards. Young wasn’t able to get the offense set for the next play quick enough, so they suffered a delay of game penalty. He missed Tommy Tremble on a wheel route, so Fitzgerald had to knock home his second field goal of the day.
A holding penalty brought back a long completion to Waddle, and put the Dolphins behind the sticks. The Panthers defense was able to just enough to force a punt to give the offense a chance to take the lead. They did not do that and quickly had to punt the ball right back. That happened a couple more times between the end of the third and the early parts of the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Panthers finally broke the streak of a combined seven consecutive possessions ending in a punt. Dowdle slashed through the right side of the line to pick up another big chunk to help work the Panthers into Miami territory. His runs and a defensive holding on McMillan took the Panthers inside the 10, then Bryce Young scrambled to the one. On the next play, Dowdle punched in a well deserved touchdown to give the Panthers their first lead of the game.
The score seemingly woke the Dolphins up. Malik Washington drug members of both return teams out to the 40. After a couple of quick hitters to Achane, Tua found Waddle behind Mike Jackson for a 46 yard bomb.
And the game was off to the races. Dowdle broke through the right side again to push his rushing total up to 199 yards, but he had to come out of the game with cramps. Some unexpected contributors stepped up in his absence. Legette caught a corner route then Jimmy Horn Jr. caught a similar ball a few plays later on 4th down to keep the drive alive. Trevor Etienne powered inside the five on a handoff, then Young found Mitchell Evans at the goal line to put the Panthers back on top.
The defense backed up the offense this time. First, the kick coverage team did a much better job containing Malik Washington. An errant pass by Tua on second down was nearly picked off, then Patrick Jones broke through the line for a third down sack with just over a minute to play. The Dolphins elected to punt and use their timeouts.
Dowdle returned from his cramps to try put the game away. He took a couple of carries for a total of five yards, then Dave Canales put the ball in Young’s hands to try to win the game. His throw sailed over the head of Hunter Renfrow, but it was because Jack Jones grabbed the receiver. The pass interference gave the Panthers a game clinching first down.
Overview
This game looked destined for disaster in the first quarter. It looked like the Panthers were going to get dominated in all three phases, but credit to Dave Canales and his staff for keeping the team engaged and believing. Just about every group played well in the final three quarters to help the comeback. We’ll see if this is a good jumping off point for the rest of the season or if it’s just a thing the Panthers can only do at home.
The next test is a visit from the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.
