The Carolina Panthers flew down to Miami for a Week 12 matchup they had to have. Spoiler: They didn’t get it.
Here’s everything we know about the ugly defeat to the Dolphins.
Final score: Dolphins 33, Panthers 10
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Keys to the game
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, save for a single drive in the first quarter, was completely out of sync. He completed just five of his 21 attempts for 92 yards and two interceptions. After two impressive outings to begin his season, Newton finally looked like a guy who was thrown in the middle of a tough situation on Sunday.
- Part of that forgettable performance came as a result of a suffocating Dolphins defense. The Miami Mutombos smacked away 10 balls in limiting the Panthers to their 10 points and 198 yards.
- Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t a hero. But he didn’t have to be. The second-year passer connected on 27 of his 31 throws for 230 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions against what was the league’s top pass defense coming in.
It was over when . . .
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
The Panthers had a glimmer of hope coming out of the break, down only 21-10 by some miracle following a disgusting first half. But the Dolphins snuffed that out rather quickly and painfully.
On their first touch of the second half, Miami ate up seven minutes and 24 seconds of clock on a 13-play, 80-yard drive. A three-yard touchdown run by running back Myles Gaskin—his second of the day—stretched the lead to 27-10 with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Players of the game
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
- DE Brian Burns: six tackles (two for a loss), 1.0 sack
- LB Shaq Thompson: 13 tackles
- WR DJ Moore: four receptions, 103 yards
What's next?
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Carolina will head into their late Week 13 bye at 5-7 and with very little left to look forward to in a potential playoff run. (Playoffs?!?!?)
They will come out of their rest to host the 5-6 Atlanta Falcons in Week 14.
