CHARLOTTE — The Panthers (1-3, 1-0) are returning home for Week 5 to face their second straight AFC East opponent. The Miami Dolphins (1-3, 1-0) are coming to Charlotte for the first time since 2017, and off their first win of the season. Mike McDaniel's crew defeated their divisional rival, the New York Jets, 27-21 on Monday night.
The Panthers are 2-6 all-time against the Dolphins. Carolina is 1-2 at home and 1-4 on the road at Miami. The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2023, when Carolina fell 42-21 in Miami Gardens.
With that in mind, get to know these 2025 Miami Dolphins.
Life without Tyreek Hill
The Dolphins took a major blow on Monday night when receiver Tyreek Hill left the game with what is reported to be a dislocated knee, which is expected to cost him the rest of the season. In addition to the mental toll of worrying about a teammate, there is now the added pressure of replacing one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL.
The first and most likely option for Tua Tagovailoa to turn to when needing to stretch the field is Jaylen Waddle. The two have been teammates since their time at Alabama, extending their connection in the league. Waddle is currently averaging 46.25 yards per game, coming off a three-reception, 48-yard performance against the Jets.
The story of the Dolphins' receiving corps after Week 4, though, is tight end Darren Waller. In his first game since Jan. 7, 2024 (the regular season finale for the 2023 season), Waller finished with three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns. The Pro Bowler retired following the 2023 season, but came out of retirement this summer and was subsequently traded from the New York Giants to the Dolphins. Time spent getting back into football shape and a hip strain sidelined him for the first three games of the season.
Now that Waller is back on the field and presumably back to his old self, it changes a lot of what the Dolphins offense will do, particularly in the middle of the field; 60 percent of Waller's routes on Monday night were in-breaking routes, resulting in both of his touchdowns.
De'Von Achane hits his stride
Since he was drafted in 2023, running back De'Von Achane has been money for the Dolphins in the ground game. Even as a rookie, while backing up Raheem Mostert, who posted a 1,000-yard season, Achane still added 800 yards of his own on 103 carries. In his second year, the Texas A&M product broke out as the starter, with 907 yards. Now in his third season, Achane is on pace to hit the century mark himself. Monday night was a massive step towards that mark with a 99-yard rushing performance and one touchdown on the ground.
Against the Jets, he forced seven missed tackles according to Next Gen Stats, with most of his production coming outside the tackles. Achane finished with 77 yards and a touchdown on 12 outside rushes, gaining positive EPA on half of such attempts. Nearly all of his rushing production came out of two-back sets – 14 of 20 carries and 86 of 99 rushing yards.
Achane also gives the Dolphins an option in the short passing game. Through four games, he has 143 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions.
Having Achane's production has allowed Tagovailoa to cut down on his own rushing production, as the Dolphins work to protect him after a string of concussions in recent years. After averaging 2.58 carries per game in his first four years, Tua has averaged 1.5 carries per game in 2024 and 2025.
Turnovers and rushing yards
The Miami defense tells two very distinct stories coming out of their Monday Night Football performance. After four games, that side of the Dolphins' ball is near the bottom in total defense—26th overall, allowing an average of 378.8 yards per game, including 404 total against the Jets—and 30th in rushing defense, giving up 158 yards per game on the ground, including 197 rushing yards to the Jets.
But the group also forced their first turnovers of the season and did so with a vengeance. After not getting any takeaways in the first three games, the defensive front forced and recovered three fumbles against New York, two in Miami territory, and one on a kickoff, resulting in 14 points off turnovers.
The defense also added two sacks, bringing their total to 8.0 for the season.
Carolina is 2-4 all-time against Miami, dating back to 1998.
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)
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.
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)
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.
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)
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)
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.
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)
