Dolphins vs Panthers- Battle in the Trenches

[So Be]

Carlina is loaded on both sides of the line, run and pass. On paper Miami should have it's hands full, and then some.

Panthers OL has studs in Kalil (C), Wharton (RG), and Gross (LT). Bell (RT) is good, and Scott (LG) is by far their weakest link. If Wake is on his game, he should beat Bell, and we shoud be able to get some inside pressure through Scott. If we play as we have done lately, we're in for a long day against this OL on the run.

Panthers DL has studs in Hardy (RDE), and Star Lotulelelei (RDT) their 1st round pick. Short (LDT) is good but with Johnson out, there is a huge drop off at LDE. It's up to McKennie to keep Hardy off Tannehill, which would negate most of their pressure. thier inside rush has not been anything above average but, Star vs Brenner "should be" a big mismatch. It is likely that he is going to need help from Garner.

Based on the match ups, you would have to expect that we run much more to the right side and maybe even roll RT out that way. Clabo and Jerry have been bad on the run but, the guys they will be facing are weakest link. For whatever reason, DT has been better running right than Miller, except when running outside the RT. They could both have good games.

I also expect Tannehill to throw more to Wallace. Panthers LCB Captain Munnerlyn is a little above average, and has been a soft spot in their secondary.

Unless we get a number of turnovers, we are going to have to play our best game of the year for a win.

 

[Fins1971]

We need to win the turnover battle to slow down their offense. They have a 14 game streak in which they have forced a turnover. But we are right behind them with 10 game streak.

We have forced a turnover in every game this year. Big improvement from the last 10 games of 2012 when we only forced turnovers in 3 of those games.

 

[So Be]

We need to win the turnover battle to slow down their offense. They have a 14 game streak in which they have forced a turnover. But we are right behind them with 10 game streak.

We have forced a turnover in every game this year. Big improvement from the last 10 games of 2012 when we only forced turnovers in 3 of those games.

Yeah, we have 13 picks and recovered 4 of 8 forced fumbles in 10 games. Last year was 10 and 6 of 19.

 

[mnphinfan]

Scott is out as well. The DT's need to take advantage of his backup.

 

[sharp]

Sack Newton when you have the chance, do not blow a big play after big play on third down when he is in your arms

 

[Fins1971]

Bills beat them by holding them to 3 FG's in the second half. Got to bend but don't break and get some turnovers.

 

[maralieus]

We need to win the turnover battle to slow down their offense. They have a 14 game streak in which they have forced a turnover. But we are right behind them with 10 game streak.

We have forced a turnover in every game this year. Big improvement from the last 10 games of 2012 when we only forced turnovers in 3 of those games.

Yeah last year it was terrible. What was it something like 14 straight unrecovered fumbles? And the dropped INT's !! Which is why I am glad Dansby is gone. I was watching the Cards game a couple weeks ago, dropped an EASY INT with the opponent backed up, should've been pick 6, but boink! Clanks off his brick hands.

 

[zach attach]

Everone I listen to on Sirius NFL just absolutely without question have the Panthers winning this game. It's like we're playing the Broncos or something. We beat a tough Seattle NFC team last year with less than we have now. We played San Fran hard for a while. This year we stunk vs the Saints and Tampa, but beat ATL. So why are all these experts saying we stand no chance?

 

[Atila]

You can spin it however you want, the truth is, their strengths match up perfectly with our weaknesses. Furthermore, they have been the CLEARLY better team to this point. Anyone who picks us to win straight up is out of their mind or hopelessly optimistic.

Can we win? Of course we have a CHANCE to win... but are we likely to pull it off? No... so don't get upset that "it's like we're playing the Broncos"... more like, it's like we're playing the Panthers who *should* beat us. Just reality.

edit: that Forest Gump sig in poster above mine is pretty clever, big ups for that, hah

 

[firefish25]

Us fins fans are going to see the type of QB we need in Cam Newton-- a passer/runner that can scramble, we're gonna have to pressure and frustrate him or he's going to destroy our lack luster defensive backs who always put up a good fight but lose out to big plays in the end.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

Carolina isn't a cinch to run well. Often the short week and road non-division after Monday night impacts the effectiveness of the offensive line, for some reason. I remember charting it more than a decade ago.

If this game unfolds with Cam Newton forced to carry the load, we may have a shot. Notice how line drive prone he has become. On third down nowadays, he invariably picks a target and wings a dart. There's very little touch or willingness for the route to unfold. If the dart is not there, he takes off on his feet. IMO, Newton's game is not as relaxed or as confident as his 2010 season at Auburn, particularly late in the season when he was making throws with every type of pace and loft. I doubt this Cam Newton could pull out the comeback from 24-0 down at Alabama. His first two NFL seasons were somewhat frustrating and the lesson he took is to default to line drives. It's been effective on occasion but the right scheme could shut it down.

Unfortunately, we are a home underdog the week after winning outright as a home underdog. I always hate that spot. It's as if the opponent is forewarned and always takes the game seriously.