A Tale of Two Halves for Miami Against the Panthers

Miami seemed in command early, racing out to a 17-point lead as its defense clamped down and the offense operated smoothly. Through the first half, it looked like a continuation of the momentum they brought from Monday night’s defensive standoff against the Jets. The second half was another story entirely—Carolina surged back behind a dominant rushing attack, crossing the 200-yard mark and sealed a gritty 27–24 road win. The Dolphins struck quickly. Their offense methodically put points on the board, finding success running and throwing. Defensively, they contained Carolina’s early advances, forcing conservative playcalling and limiting big chunk gains. On the surface, it seemed like the kind of complete performance Miami hoped to build upon this season.

Once the second half began, everything unraveled. Carolina leaned heavily on the ground game, chewing up yardage and clock. Backup running back Rico Dowdle delivered blows—including a one-yard touchdown run to take the lead—and broke free for a 43-yard rush to burst the Dolphins’ seams. On the flip side, Miami’s defense surrendered the line of scrimmage. The Panthers consistently outmuscled blocks, erased angles, and punished missed tackles. That 200+ rushing yard effort wasn’t a fluke—it exposed a front seven that was overrun.

Offensively, Miami never found the same rhythm. They managed a late 46-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle to retake the lead, but it would be short-lived. Critical third-down failures, stalled drives, and Carolina’s run dominance snuffed out the comeback. The Miami run defense completely collapsed. After looking stout early, Miami allowed Carolina to dominate on the ground in the second half.

That 43-yard burst was emblematic of Miami’s second-half defensive breakdowns. Inability to sustain offense: Outside of Jaylen Waddle’s big grab, drives sputtered due to missed conversions and pressure. Momentum swing: After halftime, the Panthers controlled the tempo and kept Miami off balance. This game may serve as a warning flag: Miami’s second-half inconsistencies — especially defending the run — cannot stand. The Dolphins must shore up personnel, technique, and in-game adjustments. It was a devastating loss after a dominant start, but the lessons will be critical if this team is going to stay in playoff contention in what seems like a top-heavy AFC.