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Carolina Panthers squeak by Miami Dolphins 27-20

By Danny Jaillet

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 17: Cam Newton #1 and teammate Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers react after a third quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the game at Bank of America Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 17: Cam Newton #1 and teammate Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers react after a third quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the game at Bank of America Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers picked up their second preseason win Friday…..

The Carolina Panthers treated the home fans right on Friday in the preseason home opener, defeating the Miami Dolphins by a 27-20 score.

Christian McCaffrey opened up the scoring for either side, breaking off a 71-yard run for a touchdown. That made the score 6-0 and showed Carolina Panther fans that CMC is a well-oiled machine. The team attempted a two-point conversion but failed to convert, as 6-0 would be the score to open up the game. The Dolphins would tie it up before the end of the quarter as Jason Sanders made two field goals of 42 and 29 yards to knot the game at six. The field goals followed the theme of the night that although the Panthers had the game in control, the Dolphins were not going ot go away quietly.

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As a matter of fact, they opened up the scoring in the second frame. Another field goal, this time by Greg Joseph, gave the Miami Dolphins the lead. This was far from a chip shot as Joseph slammed the 54-yarder through the uprights. That gave the Dolphins a 9-6 lead. The Panthers would answer back quickly however as rookie Ian Thomas found paydirt with 2:07 left in the second quarter on a 27-yard strike. The Indiana product showed that he could hold his own on this night as he finished with two catches for 35 yards. That would be all the scoring for the first half as the good guys went into the locker room with a 13-9 lead.

The only scoring of the third frame would be a Jason Sanders field goal at the 2:02 mark to cut into the Carolina Panthers lead. The running game played well in the fourth quarter to seal the deal for the Carolina Panthers. Cameron Artis-Payne scored from three yards out to make the score 20-12 in favor of Carolina. Next up to join the scoring party was Elijah Hood. Hood continued his strong preseason with another touchdown to in effect seal the deal for the Panthers, this tie from three yards out. That made the score 27 -12. Miami would score a touchdown with 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter and converted a two-point try to make it a 27-20 game. The Carolina Panthers were able to hold on for the victory although it was not an easy one.

Cam Newton was the leading passer in this game, going 9-12 for 89 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Taylor Heinicke went 5-for-9 throwing for 89 yards and an interception as he was not able to repeat his performance from last week. Garrett Gilbert went 3-for-5 on the evening, throwing for 23 yards.

The rushing attack was much more effective. McCaffrey paced the Panthers as expected, carrying the ball five times for 92 yards and a touchdown. Kenjon Barner offered a nice complementary performance to McCaffrey, carrying the ball five times for 72 yards. Curtis Samuel put together a nice game for the Panthers as well, catching two passes for 65 yards.

The Carolina Panthers next game will be Friday August 24 against the New England Patriots. Kickoff time will be 7:30 P.M.

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