The Miami Dolphins can wave goodbye to their good start. It is barely a memory.
The Dolphins have lost three in a row while the Carolina Panthers have now won three in a row after embarrassing the Dolphins nationally Monday night 45-21.
Dolphins entered the game averaging the fewest points in the NFL and they faced the number one ranked defense in the NFL.
The finished product benefited the Panthers who finished with a franchise record 548 yards of total offense. Miami scored three touchdowns, while the Panthers scored three TDs alone in the third quarter alone.
Cam Newton was the captain of the ship, throwing for 254 yards and four touchdowns and running for 95 more. Dolphins have allowed 40 plus points for the second time in last three games.
There are no coincidences. Newton passed Miami great Dan Marino for the third-most total yards (passing and rushing) in a quarterback’s first seven seasons. Newton trails only Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan in that category.
“I’m lost honestly, to me it’s not just about the game.” Defensive end Cameron Wake stated. “Losing and doing things obviously we show we know how to do. This is unacceptable to me.”
Dolphins safety T.J. McDonald returned to the starting lineup after serving an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but it didn’t help the careworn Dolphins defense. McDonald looked like one of the best players in OTAs.
I have not placed the blame much on Jay Cutler. He has improved however the offense needs more improvement. Cutler had 213 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception.
Jarvis Landry and Julian Thomas both caught TD passes for the Dolphins. Kenyan Drake gave the Dolphins hope, with a beautiful 66-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Dolphins now have lost 10 of their last 11 night games.
Miami needs to get to work. The task is winning. Not the offense, not the defense, literally just win. They have both games versus the New England Patriots around the corner moreover time is running out.
Dolphins’ offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James’ was a massive loss for the team as he deals with a hamstring issue. He is an excellent right tackle his replacement will be a downgrade on the line.
The beat goes on as the Dolphins host the Buccaneers next in a game that was rescheduled from Week 1 because of Hurricane Irma.
