Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins: Live Grades and Analysis for Miami

The Miami Dolphins (5-6) have lost to the Carolina Panthers (8-3) by the final score of 20-16. 

Despite Miami going up 16-6 at halftime, the Dolphins allowed the Panthers to score 14 unanswered points thanks in part to an inept offense that failed to score at all in the second quarter, as well as a final drive that was marred by a bad penalty committed by Reshad Jones. 

The Dolphins' playoff hopes are still alive, however, as next week they face the Jets, with whom they are still tied for the final playoff spot in the AFC. 

Here's a look at this week's grades and analysis. 

Position Unit	First-Half Grade	Game Grade
Pass Offense	B-	C-
Run Offense	F	F
Run Defense	A	A
Pass Defense	A+	A
Special Teams	B	C
Coaching	A	B-

Game Analysis for the Miami Dolphins

Pass Offense: This was not one of Ryan Tannehill’s finest games, despite the 57-yard touchdown, 310 passing yards and 36 rushing yards. Honestly, he lost the game for the Dolphins with his inability to score touchdowns and connect with his receivers.  

Run Offense: Oh, what rushing offense?

Run Defense: Save for the final drive (and a horrible late hit), Miami’s run defense was on point this afternoon.

Pass Defense: Miami’s pass defense was also very good. You really can’t complain about any aspect of its defense. It did what it had to do to win, but the offense couldn’t get anything done in the second half.

Special Teams: A missed field goal (which shouldn’t have been attempted at that point of the game) and some bad Marcus Thigpen returns meant I wasn’t happy with this unit, save for Brandon Fields.

Coaching: Really, they weren’t too bad. It’s a loss, but it’s an execution loss since the play-calling was great on defense and pretty good on offense as well. The problem on offense was that Ryan Tannehill couldn’t execute.

First-Half Analysis for the Miami Dolphins

Pass Offense: It’s been a roller coaster for Tannehill in the first half. The good is two of his longest passes of his career, both to Mike Wallace, with one going for a touchdown. Also good: some great throws on rollouts and while running the ball. The bad: both of those long passes were underthrown (which is a nitpick), as well as two horrible throws (one of them was picked off, the other almost was). This game is actually a blowout if Tannehill is playing better.

Run Offense: What run offense?  

Run Defense: Carolina doesn’t run the football very well, and against the Dolphins the Panthers haven’t been as successful as I expected them to be so far.

Pass Defense: Cam Newton is usually the type of quarterback that scorches the Dolphins, but this afternoon he’s been contained by a very aggressive Dolphins front seven to the tune of two sacks, two pass deflections and a beautiful interception by Nolan Carroll.

Special Teams: First, the good: a Dion Jordan blocked field goal, two Caleb Sturgis field goals, Brandon Fields being Brandon Fields and one decent Marcus Thigpen punt return. The bad: Marcus Thigpen’s other returns and the coverage on Ted Ginn Jr.’s first punt return.  

Coaching: Nothing to really complain about on this front, as Kevin Coyle put together a defensive game plan that has all but erased Cam Newton, and Mike Sherman’s offensive game plan only seems to lack in execution. Joe Philbin has done a great job as well, especially with a crucial spot challenge on a Newton run at the end of the first quarter.

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