CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are one game away from a much-needed bye week, and they're hitting the road for South Florida later this afternoon.
And from their own perspective, and a broader league trend, that's not the worst thing in the world.
The Panthers are 3-2 on the road this year, and just 2-4 at home. That tracks with the league-wide trend this year, in which home field isn't nearly the advantage it used to be. After all three road teams won on Thursday, the league is 80-87-1 at home this year, after home teams were 127-128-1 last season during pandemic lockdowns which left most stadiums empty. In 2019, home teams were 132-123-1.
After their bye week next week, the Panthers will host the Falcons, and then close with three of their last four on the road (at Buffalo, followed by Tampa Bay coming here and then trips to New Orleans and Tampa). They're not in a spot to look beyond any particular week, but they're also not far enough out of the playoff mix to realize there's still a chance.
That said, here are five things to keep an eye on Sunday:
BE READY FOR PRESSURE
After starting 1-7, the Dolphins have won three in a row, and they've done it with an aggressive defense.
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule pointed out this week that in their win over Baltimore, they ran zero blitzes (meaning their corners played man, and there was no safety help over the top) 31 times. They created a pair of turnovers, and limited the Ravens to 94 yards on the ground.
"They burned the boats and said we're here to win, and they won, they took away the football," Rhule said.
The Dolphins blitz more than any team in the league this year. According to Next Gen Stats, they blitz on 40.5 percent of the dropbacks, the only team in the league over 40 percent (Tampa Bay is second at 37.9 percent, followed by Baltimore at 35.7).
That puts more pressure on the Panthers offensive line this week, and they know it.
"They bring a lot of blitz, obviously, so we have to be on point with our rules and who we're supposed to block and all that good stuff," Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton said this week.
The Panthers line has improved steadily over the course of the year, even as injuries have knocked part after part out of the lineup. Veteran John Miller is doubtful this week with an ankle injury after a one-week return, meaning Trent Scott will return at right guard. Change has been a constant (eight different groups of starters in 11 games), which has forced them to focus on the small parts of the game.
"We just all continue to focus on our craft and continue to find ways to improve," Moton said. "We knew we weren't playing up to our standards, so collectively we wanted to do everything we can to get the job done. There's a lot of room for growth and improvements to be made, but all we can do is take it one day at a time and continue to grow."
McCAFFREY MAKING HISTORY
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey continues to excel as a receiver, and having him back has been a huge boost for the offense — in addition to the fact that Carolina is 4-2 with him in the lineup and 1-4 without him.
Last week, McCaffrey became the fastest running back in league history to reach 3,000 career receiving yards, doing it in 57 games.
If he catches two passes Sunday, he will break Roger Craig's record for the most receptions by a running back in his first five seasons (358). Saints running back Alvin Kamara is tied with Craig there, but he's injured at the moment. McCaffrey's next at 357, followed by LaDainian Tomlinson at 342. That's pretty solid company.
He's also getting it done on the ground lately. Since returning from his hamstring strain, he's averaging 5.6 yards per carry, which is fourth among players with more than 30 carries over that span.
IRON BOWL REMATCH
Auburn and Alabama will play later today in the annual Iron Bowl game, and then the quarterback alumni of the two schools will face off tomorrow.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton have played each other once before in the pros, with the Dolphins beating Newton's Patriots team 22-12 in Week 15.
Tagovailoa ran for a couple of touchdowns that day, while Newton had the better passing day (17-of-27 for 209 yards, to Tagovailoa's 20-of-26 for 145 yards and an interception).
RUN DEFENSE HAS TO GET BETTER
After giving up 190 yards to Washington last week, the defense has been focused on tightening things up. The Dolphins rank 31st in the league in rushing, but after a bad result, the Panthers can't count on that fixing everything.
The focus has been on details this week, since individual breakdowns led to big runs a week ago.
"Any time you see something bad as far as the run game, it's usually because of discipline, or a gap," defensive end Brian Burns said. "It comes down to doing your job. as simple as that is said, it's not as easy as you think it is. It comes down to doing your job.
"That's what the run game is about. It doesn't take extreme talent, and extreme gifts; it just takes being disciplined and being accountable for your gap. That's just how it is."
THE LAST WORD
If the Panthers have gotten used to anything this year, it's adjusting on the fly.
With Newton in at quarterback now (their third starter of the year), that's continuing.
McCaffrey was asked about all the changes this year, and he shrugged and said he's realized that's what the NFL is all about.
"One thing I've learned in this league, every year is abnormal, and you have to start to make abnormal the normal," he said. "Make uncomfortable comfortable. That's just the way it is.
"Guys go down, next man up mentality. Things happen. But a mature football team is about each individual making a commitment to strive to get better every day."
That theme has been pretty consistent from a number of players this week, and the Panthers seem pretty on-message. But things get weird in a hurry in the NFL, and being able to adjust is a life skill you have to have.
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Carolina is 2-4 all-time against Miami, dating back to 1998.
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler (9) chats with Carolina Panthers' Jimmy Hitchcock, left, following the 23-6 Dolphins win Sunday Nov. 4, 2001, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. Fiedler was 20-for-33 for 287 yards and a score, with one interception. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) gets off a pass as he is pressured by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers defeated the Dolphins 20-16. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Devin Funchess celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Ed Dickson catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Devin Funchess makes a reception for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Cam Newton gets a first down during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason (52) and Na'il Diggs (53) during the second half an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2013 file photo, Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the first half of an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla. Vernon is having a breakout season at defensive end for the Dolphins, and now he has his sights set on Ben Roethlisberger. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (13) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 15, 1998. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) waves as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Olsen scored the winning touchdown as the Panthers defeated the Dolphins 20-16. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2013, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) avoids a tackle by Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers want fourth-year quarterback Cam Newton to throw more and run less as he continues to grow as an NFL quarterback. That's because they want the two-time Pro Bowler to stay healthy. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas (22) intercepts a ball intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins' Reshard Matthews (20) tackles Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) during a NFL football game in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers won 20-16. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is congratulated by Dante Rosario (88) after Smith's touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) breaks up a pass play for Miami Dolphins' Charles Clay (42) during a NFL football game in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers won 20-16. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme scrambles for yards against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Miami Dolphins' Chad Henne (7) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs against the Miami Dolphins in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
A Carolina Panther fan is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) slips away from Miami Dolphins' Travis Daniels (21) on his way to the endzone for his third touchdown of the day during the fourth quarter at Dolphins Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. Coming off the best game of his career, Smith is ready to prove he has taken his game to the next level. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, OCT. 15-16FILE** Miami Dolphins Ronnie Brown (23) rushes as Carolina Panthers Mike Minter (30) tackles him during the first quarter, at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Fla. Sunday Sept. 25, 2005. Ricky Williams' debut following a one-year retirement is sure to overshadow a long-awaited match-up between rookies, and former Auburn teammates, Ronnie Brown and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams this week when the Dolphins face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers, top, lands on top of Carolina Panthers cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock (37) as Chambers reels in a long pass in the first half from quarterback Jay Fiedler Sunday Nov. 4, 2001, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Carolina Panthers' Vinny Ciurciu (50) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins Chris Chambers (84) during the first quarter at Dophins Stadium Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) gets away from Miami Dolphins' Jason Taylor for a touchdown in the second quarter at Dophins Stadium Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. (AP Photo/Luis Alvarez)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte drops back for a pass Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, during a game against the Carolina Panthers. Even with a bye, the Miami Dolphins had a good day. All three AFC East rivals lost Sunday, leaving Miami alone atop the division for the first time in three years. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain (23) intercepts a pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke and runs it back for a touchdown as teammate Brian Walker (45) helps on the play Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001, in Miami. Panthers' Mushin Muhammad (87) gives chase. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)