Dolphins, Panthers look for stretch drive
But both teams take hits to ground game
Last Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 | 12:02 PM ET
By Chris Iorfida, CBC Sports
Jake Delhomme's play has improved, but the Carolina quarterback is without his top offensive tackle and his two running backs are banged up. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)The winner of Thursday night's NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers would take an outside position for a playoff spot, not a bad place considering each had a 0-3 start.
Carolina and the visiting Dolphins both came back after failing to win early in the NFL season, taking four of the next six games. A 5-5 record for the winner Thursday still won't be great, but it will give reason for hope as the final six games of the season beckon. The loser will be on life support as far as the playoffs are concerned.
"Mirror images, both [teams] had double-digit wins last year and they're just trying to get back to .500," said Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme. "We're doing some decent things and we've got to see if we can carry it over."
The Dolphins will have to make do from here on in without running back Ronnie Brown, who they often turn to for short-yardage situations and to run their Wildcat offence, where the back often takes direct snaps from centre.
Brown is out for the year with a foot injury.
'Let him do his thing'
Offensive co-ordinator Dan Henning first experimented with the formation while in the same capacity with Carolina earlier in the decade, but it has fully blossomed in Miami.
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Henning will adjust to Brown's absence.
"I have all the trust in the world of Dan on game day to let him do his thing," Sparano said. "One of the things I learned as a play caller was that the head coach can get in the way sometimes."
Miami has running back Ricky Williams and reserve quarterback Pat White as possible Wildcat options.
Williams is enjoying a resurgence this season, rushing for 558 yards on 5.3 yards per attempt.
After putting up a spirited effort in New England two weeks ago, the Dolphins need a last-minute field goal from Dan Carpenter to beat lowly Tampa Bay on Sunday, 25-23.
Rookie quarterback Chad Henne threw a touchdown to Kory Sperry for Miami, but also tossed a critical interception late in the game deep in his own territory that allowed Tampa Bay to take the lead.
Pivot under pressure
Delhomme is no stranger to such turnovers this season, but hasn't thrown an interception in the last three games, helping spur the Panthers' turnaround with three touchdown tosses during that span.
The pressure will be on Delhomme on Thursday, as the two prime cogs of the team's potent ground game are questionable, and his top offensive tackle is out for the season.
DeAngelo Williams has rushed for 399 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games, while Jonathan Stewart has added 174 yards and four scores over the same period. Stewart is dealing with an Achilles injury and Williams has a knee injury, and were done no favours by the short rest following the team's win Sunday over Atlanta.
The 28-17 win over the Falcons also cost the team tackle Jordan Gross, out for the season after breaking his right ankle.
While Delhomme has played turnover-free ball, his numbers aren't inspiring. Of his seven touchdown passes, four have gone to tight ends.
Through eight games, Delhomme had just one touchdown pass to his wide receivers, but Steve Smith bumped that total up to three after a pair of scoring receptions against Atlanta.
Both teams return with road games in 10 days. Carolina is up against the New York Jets, while the Dolphins play Buffalo.
With files from The Associated Press
