It’s been a brutal first five weeks of the season for the Carolina Panthers, who are huge underdogs once again. This week, they get the high-flying Miami Dolphins—who can put up points with the best of them.
So, if the Panthers want to have a chance to notch their first win of the campaign, especially against their dynamic hosts, something’s got to give.
Here are four key matchups for Week 6:
Panthers' secondary vs. Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle
The Carolina secondary has been devastated by injury and is seriously lacking in depth. The absences of top cornerback Jaycee Horn and starting safeties Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods isn’t great news considering the best wide receiver duo in the league awaits this defense down in Miami.
Donte Jackson and CJ Henderson are going to see a lot of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle—and without Bell and Woods to help back them up, it could be a long afternoon. They’ll have to keep these lethal speedsters in front of them as much as they can.
Panthers QB Bryce Young vs. the scoreboard
The Dolphins score a lot of points. The Panthers give up a lot of points. This combination of statements means that quarterback Bryce Young is going to need to keep up on the scoreboard and keep the ball in his hands.
With Miami boasting a relatively generous pass defense and with No. 1 running back Miles Sanders out, the rookie could see quite the amount of pass attempts. If he can play his best game of the season and show off some of the traits that made him the No. 1 overall pick, he could keep the Panthers in this game and, perhaps, shock the football world.
Panthers G Cade Mays vs. Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins
Talk about an underdog story.
Carolina’s backup to the backup left guard, Cade Mays, will likely be seeing a lot of the Miami all-world defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. This is going to be a monumental task for Mays—who, to be fair, has shown flashes.
But he will need to at least slow Wilkins down if he wants to keep his quarterback upright. It’s not going to be an easy day for the second-year hog molly.
Panthers' defensive line vs. Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert
The Panthers have been quite abysmal in trying to stop the run this season, ranking 26th overall. So, good luck trying to stop what’s been the league’s most explosive rushing game.
The good news for the Panthers is they will not have to face the unreal rookie back De’Von Achane, as he will miss Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Plus, they won’t be seeing backup Jeff Wilson either.
Mostert, who has averaged a bulky 5.4 yards per carry, will have lead duties for Miami. Carolina’s defensive front must plug the holes and not allow the home-run hitting rusher to reach the the second and third levels of the unit.
