Panthers-Dolphins live updates: Carolina loses second straight game

The Carolina Panthers are only two games back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South standings.

It’s kind of weird when you think about it. The Panthers, who have lost games to teams that will likely draft ahead of them next year (Philadelphia, Washington, New York Giants), have also beaten Arizona and New Orleans and are in the thick of a playoff chase with two games against the division-leading Bucs awaiting them at the end of December.

They’re also tied in the win column with New Orleans, Minnesota and Philadelphia for the final wild-card spot entering Week 12, which makes today’s game at the Miami Dolphins (4-7) all the more important.

A win for the Panthers (5-6) today will give them one more than they had last season and allow them to enter the bye week with momentum. A loss all but derails any hope of making the playoffs with a back-loaded schedule the final month of the season.

The Observer has three journalists in Miami Gardens, Fla., for today’s 1 p.m. kickoff against the Dolphins, including beat reporter Jonathan M. Alexander and Ellis Williams. Follow along here for live updates throughout the game (refresh the page for the latest) and stick with CharlotteObserver.com after for expanded coverage.

Panthers vs Dolphins game score

Cam Newton benched for PJ Walker

The Panthers benched starting quarterback Cam Newton in the fourth quarter in favor of PJ Walker, but on Walker’s second pass attempt, he threw an interception. The Dolphins are again threatening to score.

Sanders FG: Dolphins 30, Panthers 10 (4th quarter)

A 46-yard field goal by Miami kicker Jason Sanders extends Miami’s lead.

Myles Gaskin TD for Miami: Dolphins 27, Panthers 10 (3rd quarter)

In a Wildcat formation, Myles Gaskin took the directs snap and ran around left end for the Dolphins and into the end zone. A missed extra point left the Dolphins’ lead at 27-10 and put the Panthers in a giant hole.

That Miami drive was 13 plays, 80 yards, and 7:24 off the clock. Dolphins putting foot to throat to start the second half

HALFTIME: Dolphins 21, Panthers 10

Carolina ended the first half with a 41-yard field goal from Zane Gonzalez.

Cam Newton is 3 of 15 passing for 81 yards and two interceptions.

Myles Gaskin TD: Dolphins 21, Panthers 7

Jaylen Waddle TD: Dolphins 14, Panthers 7 (2nd quarter)

Cam Newton’s second interception in as many possessions was turned into 7 points for the Dolphins when Tua Tagovailoa found Jaylen Waddle in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Cam Newton picked off

On third-and-5 from the Panthers’ 40, Newton attempted to fit the pass into Robby Anderson, but he didn’t see Dolphins safety Jevon Holland in coverage, who dove to make the interception.

It was Newton’s first turnover of the season.

Cam Newton TD: Panthers 7, Dolphins 7 (1st quarter)

On third-and-goal from the 1, Cam Newton took the shotgun snap with an empty backfield for a quarterback dive. He was stuffed initially, then spun right and fell into the end zone. That touchdown came after a 64-yard pass from Newton to DJ Moore to get Carolina into scoring position.

Miami punt block for TD: Dolphins 7, Panthers 0 (1st quarter)

Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore dropped two passes from Cam Newton on a series that started at Carolina’s own 5, leading to a three-and-out. The punt by Lachlan Edwards was blocked by Miami’s Duke Riley and recovered in the end zone by Justin Coleman for a touchdown to give the Dolphins an early lead.

It was the first punt the Panthers have had blocked since 2014.

Brian Burns with the strip-sack

On third down, Panthers defensive end Brian Burns sacked Tua Tagovailoa to set up fourth down.

Coin toss

The Panthers won the toss and elected to defer to the second half.

Who’s inactive for the Panthers and Dolphins?

Panthers: WR Terrace Marshall, QB Matt Barkley, S Kenny Robinson, CB Rashaan Melvin, LB Kamal Mart, TE Colin Thompson.

Dolphins: DB Trill Williams, S Brandon Jones, S Will Parks, LB Darius Hodge, TE Adam Shaheen, DL John Jenkins.

Panthers-Dolphins predictions

Our entire staff picked the Panthers to beat the Dolphins today, but before you celebrate (or criticize) too much, keep in mind we have not had the best track record the past three weeks. Here’s a full breakdown of our Panthers predictions with scores and explanations.

Cam Newton will make his second start today

Cam Newton has proven in the last two weeks that, at the very least, he’s the stopgap the Carolina Panthers need at quarterback to get them through this season.

In his first start last week in a loss to Washington, Newton completed 21 of 27 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over. That followed a two-touchdown performance in Arizona in which he only played eight snaps.

Newton is only signed with the Panthers through the rest of this season, but it is becoming increasingly clear that even if Sam Darnold returns from injured reserve after the bye week, Newton will be Carolina’s guy.

What radio station is the Panthers game on?

Here is a list of Panthers Radio Network affiliates to listen to the Panthers vs. Dolphins Week 12 NFL game.

What channel is the Panthers vs Dolphins game on?

Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium is being broadcast on FOX. If you’re watching in Charlotte, that means WJZY-Fox 46. The Panthers-Dolphins game can be streamed online with a subscription to YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV, so long as you are viewing from inside the broadcast footprint — a map of which can be found below via 506 Sports.

This story was originally published November 28, 2021 at 11:17 AM.

Matt L. Stephens

The Charlotte Observer

Matt L. Stephens is the Senior Sports Editor for The Charlotte Observer and oversees sports coverage for the Raleigh News & Observer, The State in Columbia, S.C., and McClatchy’s other properties across the Southeast. Before coming to Charlotte in July 2019, Matt was an award-winning editor, columnist and investigative reporter at The Denver Post and Fort Collins Coloradoan.