Thursday Night Football Preview

Thursday, 19 November 2009 00:00

Miami Dolphins vs. Carolina Panthers

Both teams are making a run at the postseason after an 0-3 start in 2009.They have won 4 of their last 6 to improve to 4-5,and now every game is important to keep their chances alive.

Miami is in a better position,second to New England in the AFC East, as they beat the New York Jets (also at 4-5) twice in their division meetings.

Carolina is third in the NFC South, one game behind Atlanta (2nd at 5-4).Every game is a must-win situation for the Panthers who beat Atlanta 28-19 on Sunday,and find themselves only a game behind the Falcons,Eagles Packers and Giants in the NFC’s wild card race.

The Panthers have survived thanks to their running game,third in the league with 156.6 yards per game,led by DeAngelo Williams with 5.1 yds per carry and seven TDs and Jonathan Stewart with 4.8 and 6 TDs.

They will have to play the rest of the season,though,without All-Pro left tackle Jordan Gross who broke an ankle against Atlanta.Gross was opening lanes for the two tailbacks and was QB Jake Delhomme’s protection on his blind side.Carolina will have to reshuffle their offensive line on Thursday,not an easy task as Gross had only missed one game in his seven-year career.

Jake Delhomme threw for 195 yards and 2 TDs (to Steve Smith) on Sunday with no INT.He had an NFL-high 13 interceptions in his first 6 games and was about to be benched,but the return of WR Mushin Muhammad from a knee injury and a no-huddle offense got Delhomme back on track as he had no pick in his last 3 games.

Miami lost RB Ronnie Brown who injured his right foot on Sunday,that will limit their effectiveness out of the wildcat formation.Rickie Williams will have to carry the load in Charlotte,fortunately against a weak Panthers’rush defense which is ranked 25th in the league.

Dolphins’ QB Chad Henne threw an interception with less than 2 minutes to go against the Buccaneers that led to a TD and a 23-22 lead with 1:14 left in the game .He made no mistake,though,when he got the ball back.Henne completed 2 passes for 41 yards and Williams’27-yard run put Miami in position for Dan Carpenter’s 25-yard field goal and a 25-23 win.

In what looks to be a rushing battle between those two teams,Miami seems to have a better chance to stop the run as they have the 7th rush-defense in the league,allowing 97.6 yards per game when Carolina allows 128.1.

The Dolphins pass defense ranks 27th in the NFL,but gets back pass-rushing LB Joey Porter after coach Tony Sparano had deactivated him against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers’ pass defense ranks 4th in the league and had 8 picks in their last 3 games,a major factor in their wins at Arizona and against Atlanta.

The Panthers are feeling it right now with the resurgence of their QB Jake Delhomme,and the Dolphins will dearly miss RB Ronnie Brown in their wildcat formation and 1-2 punch with Ricky Williams.

I like Carolina at home.

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