Dolphins (1-3) at Panthers (1-3), Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 1 1/2 points
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 2-2): Dolphins 23, Panthers 20
The Panthers would be the Jets of the NFC except they have one win this season, and the relevant part about that win is it was their only home game. That’s the lone concern for the Dolphins. Even without Tyreek Hill, they match up well against a Carolina team that is in the bottom-third of the NFL in running and passing offense and hasn’t shown any ability to win. Like the Jets, this is the kind of team the Dolphins have their way against.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 2-2): Dolphins 21, Panthers 20
I have no feel for this game. The Dolphins’ offense wasn’t a threat during training camp and preseason without Tyreek Hill, so we’ll see what coach Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane can do now. Run defense is a concern as is being on the road. Oh, and being without Tyreek is a bigger concern. But the Dolphins should have just enough success to hold off Carolina.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 2-2): Dolphins 24, Panthers 23
Carolina has been very up and down the last couple of weeks and is difficult to predict, but that team just lost 42-13 at New England. The Panthers are somewhere in between that result and the previous week’s 30-0 win over the Falcons, but Bryce Young and Co. don’t particularly scare me. Even with Tyreek Hill lost for the season, Miami has found some things in the run game and with tight end Darren Waller in the pass game. The Dolphins finally started forcing turnovers Monday night against the Jets, and Carolina doesn’t run the ball well enough to really take advantage of that Miami weakness.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 2-2): Panthers 27, Dolphins 24
The Dolphins are the better team, but only barely. Carolina’s defense showed they are capable of a strong showing, shutting out the Falcons two weeks ago. The Dolphins’ defense showed improvement in Monday’s victory, but there are still concerns. It’s in Carolina, so that gives the Panthers the slight edge.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 4-0): Dolphins 23, Panthers 20
Carolina was blown out last week, 42-13, at New England — just one week after routing the Falcons, 30-0. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who fell to 7-25 as an NFL starter, was replaced late in the game by veteran Andy Dalton. Young is hoping to rebound against the Dolphins, who have a quick turnaround after playing on Monday night. Can the Dolphins muster up enough playmaking ability without Tyreek Hill? That remains to be seen, but they should beat Carolina.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 1-3): Dolphins 21, Panthers 10
The Panthers are 4-3 in their past seven home games, but the Dolphins finally play against a quarterback in Bryce Young who is undersized and doesn’t bring an elite run component to his game. Miami has averaged two sacks a game so far, but I anticipate at least four in Charlotte.
