After a significant letdown against the New England Patriots in Week 4, the Carolina Panthers are hoping to fill the holes of a sinking ship this weekend—when they return home to host the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins come swimming in off their first victory of the season, where they downed their division rival New York Jets this past Monday night. The Panthers, meanwhile, are trying to float back up following a 42-13 loss from up north.
Let’s take a look at the key matchups for this Week 5 battle between these 1-3 teams . . .
Panthers run game vs. Dolphins run defense
The bad news for the Panthers is that they’ll be without starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who is nursing a nagging calf strain. The good news, however, is that they’ll be facing the third-worst run defense in the NFL.
Carolina will look to take advantage of that generous unit, which has allowed 158.0 rushing yards per game, with Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne filling the void. Dowdle was one of 16 1,000-yard rushers from 2024 while Etienne, albeit in small doses, has flashed good vision, burst and creativity on offense.
A key to success in this aspect will be how the interior lines up, specifically between Cade Mays and Brady Christensen at center and at right guard. Will they be able to hold the likes of Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips at bay?
Panthers pass catchers vs. Dolphins secondary
The Panthers could also get some momentum going through the air, where the Dolphins have allowed the second-highest EPA per passing play and the second-highest yards per attempt (8.8). That might bode well for the team’s leading receiver in Tetairoa McMillan, a returning Xavier Legette, possibly, 2025 sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn Jr.—who is expected to play a role on offense in his NFL debut.
Miami fields an interesting safety duo in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ashtyn Davis, both of whom can make splash plays in the secondary. Veteran cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones have also been solid thus far.
But the Dolphins haven’t exactly shut down opposing tight ends, having allowed the most yards to the position (302) through four weeks. So quarterback Bryce Young, who has shown he can attack the middle of defenses, can get Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans involved as well.
Panthers linebackers and safeties vs. Dolphins tight end Darren Waller
Like Miami, Carolina has had some difficulty locking down tight ends. And like Carolina, Miami had one of their tight ends taste the end zone (twice, in fact) in Week 4.
Waller, in his first game back from retirement, notched three receptions for 27 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Jets. Given the Dolphins’ reliance on tight end Jonnu Smith last season and the loss of top wideout Tyreek Hill, the former Pro Bowler Waller could continue to factor in for the offense.
The onus to keep that from happening, in part, will be on Panthers starting inside linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace—who have struggled here in 2025.
Dave Canales vs. coaching inconsistencies
While the Panthers are still working through their youth and chemistry, Canales’ coaching inconsistencies have slowed the team’s progress. But that would change with an improved approach in play calling.
Carolina could benefit from more creativity in the run game and better play selection and third-and-long situations. Having Young toss the ball 35 times a game isn’t the recipe for success.
The key to a more balanced attack is not letting Miami get out to a big lead early, like what happened in Jacksonville, Arizona and New England. Canales and the Panthers have to keep it tight—in their plan, in their execution and on the scoreboard.
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