The Panthers would be the Jets of the NFC except they have one win this season, and the relevant part about that win is it was their only home game. That's the lone concern for the Dolphins. Even without Tyreek Hill, they match up well against a Carolina team that is in the bottom-third of the NFL in running and passing offense and hasn't shown any ability to win. Like the Jets, this is the kind of team the Dolphins have their way against.
"In the moment, there were a couple things that occurred that we thought Daniel's veteran presence would be able to help us with," offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Friday. "It was a decision made at the moment that we thought would help. Ultimately, we talked with Kion. He's a great guy and he understands and he's preparing. We're all working together to make sure we can be on the same page and be successful Monday."
"Certainly let them know about that multiple times," Dolphins secondary coach Brian Duker said Friday. "I made a point of it. Continuing to attack the football, obviously the forced fumble element is a big part of it. Just trying to punch at the ball and create opportunities to take shots on goal. And then the interceptions, it's more just a matter of good vision, put the quarterback under stressful situations, break and hoping both those things come to life."
The Dolphins entered fourth in the NFL in rushing average through two weeks while dead last in rushing attempts. Against the Bills, they ran a solid 25 times, compared to 34 pass attempts, for 130 yards - a 5.2 yards-per-carry clip. Buffalo struggles in run defense, one of the few areas in which the top dog in the AFC East is not elite. So it was certainly an area to exploit.
Honestly in Chicago, with [Brooks and Dodson] -- [it was] players holding players accountable," linebacker Bradley Chubb told ESPN. "We were in the heat of battle, so it got a little bit more heated than it should have. ... Just guys getting in each other's face, but at the end of the day, knowing it's all love and this is about pushing each other to be the best. "It was probably the biggest turning point for our defense this offseason because we saw two alphas going at it and pushing each other to be better.
Perk's Best bet: De'Von Achane anytime TD (-115) Achane is Miami's most versatile offensive player, able to score via air or ground. He leads the team in touchdowns with a modest two. He's one of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's most trusted targets and he's coach Mike McDaniel's first, and almost only choice as a ball carrier out of the backfield. Furones' Best Bet: Dalton Kincaid over 30.5 receiving yards (-110)
"When I was just getting off the ball, I wasn't expecting for him to cut-block me like that," said Robinson, who spent a few minutes down on the ground as he held his left knee. "Once I felt his helmet hit my knee, I kind of thought another thing, but once the trainers came out on the field and I realized I was good, it took everything off my back. I was just honestly ready to get back in the game."
The Dolphins, winless at 0-2, are turning into the definition of ineptitude. They can't count on doing anything right for an extended period of time, which, for these purposes, we'll define as a 60-minute NFL game. "We've got to play better," defensive tackle Zach Seiler said. "We've got to be better together as a unit in all three phases." That hasn't happened through two games.
This is a loss as bad as the one the Dolphins had to open the season last week, when they were run off the field in Indianapolis. They just lost another way Sunday, a dumber way, a way that looked like coach Mike McDaniel doesn't have the offense fully installed four years in. Forget all the drama that made it a fun game to watch: The four lead changes,
"And it showed in as clear a message as possible ahead of Sunday's home opener against the New England Patriots. A group of fans strung together the funds to fly a banner over Hard Rock Stadium with a direct message as to their wishes for the franchise's coach, Mike McDaniel, and general manager, Chris Grier. The banner, which appeared starting at around 11 a.m. Sunday as fans were tailgating at stadium parking lots, read: "Fire McDaniel. Fire Grier."
"Jackson suffered a toe injury in last week's 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and did not return. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Monday he expected Larry Borom to start in Jackson's place in Week 2, but as the week progressed it became clear Jackson's injury would take multiple weeks to return from. Jackson missed most of training camp with a toe injury after his foot was stepped on at practice; McDaniel did not clarify whether this is a new injury or an aggravation to the one he suffered in camp."
