Dolphins blow 17-0 lead, collapse against Panthers to fall to 1-4

"CHARLOTTE - It was supposed to be a game where the Miami Dolphins cruise and put behind their concerns of the first three games of the season. The Dolphins jumped out to an early 17-point lead and were rolling before their inadequate run defense failed them and their offense went stagnant against the Carolina Panthers. Allowing a 200-yard rushing performance by Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, the Dolphins blew their early lead and dropped a heartbreaker, 27-24, on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium."

"Dowdle, who was playing for injured starter Chuba Hubbard, had 206 rushing yards to lead the Carolina charge. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went 27 of 36 for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had six catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Darren Waller made five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half."

"A 4-yard touchdown pass from Young to tight end Mitchell Evans, who flipped into the end zone, gave Carolina a 27-24 lead with 1:59 left. Young converted a fourth down, throwing to Jimmy Horn, earlier in the series. The Dolphins went three-and-out to follow, with Tagovailoa sacked on third down. They punted with all three timeouts still in hand, but after appearing to get a third-down stop, cornerback Jack Jones was called for pass interference to allow Carolina to run out the clock."

The Miami Dolphins took an early 17-point lead but surrendered it and lost 27-24 to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina running back Rico Dowdle rushed for 206 yards and sparked a decisive comeback. Tua Tagovailoa finished 27 of 36 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, with Jaylen Waddle (110 yards, TD) and Darren Waller (78 yards, TD) producing most offense in the first half. Bryce Young threw two touchdowns and one interception, including a late 4-yard touchdown to Mitchell Evans that gave Carolina the lead with under two minutes remaining. A late Dolphins three-and-out and a pass interference call ended Miami’s chances. Miami fell to 1-4 after the loss.

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