3 things the Miami Dolphins need to do in order to beat the Panthers

Now is not the time to get cute and throw a curveball thinking it’s going to fool the Panthers. Now is the time to keep your foot on the gas and keep the swagger going that you’ve been having the last few weeks. I’m saying that the defense needs to continue to keep releasing the hounds on 3rd down and make the quarterback make throws under pressure while the Dolphin’s secondary are in the receivers’ hip pocket.

Cam Newton will be the starter and I would like nothing more than for the Dolphins and their blitzkrieg defense to frustrate the hell out of him. We know Newton isn’t very accurate and will throw balls into the dirt on the regular. But, like most quarterbacks, if you move him off his spot and make him have to throw on the move, then he won’t be as good. Since Newton has come back from the Panthers, he has sparked their team. They lost last week so hopefully, the second honeymoon is over.

I don’t know if the Dolphins will have the same exact schematic approach to Newton as they did Tyrod Taylor and Lamar Jackson, but something similar needs to be in place. Keep bringing Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones off the edge allowing others like Philips, Ogbah, and AVG potential one-on-one matchups all while Howard and Jones clean up the back end.

Don’t sleep on DJ Moore and Robby Anderson. These guys are real receivers that can cause problems if you let them. They’re the best unit Miami has faced in weeks.

Also, if the Dolphins keep bringing the kitchen sink and they should, accounting for Christian McCaffrey will be crucial. Last week, McCaffrey caught seven of eight targets for 60 yards including a 27-yard score. We know at times McCaffrey will be looked to be the whole offense for the Panthers. Miami’s defense needs to know where he is at all times especially when they’re bringing the heat.