
Which Carolina Panthers players could be the most important when they travel to the Miami Dolphins for a pivotal Week 12 matchup?
It’s time to find out what the Carolina Panthers are truly made of. There’s been a lot of big talk during the week following their loss against the Washington Football Team, with players and the coaching staff keen to start holding each other more accountable in pursuit of putting things right in a must-win game at the Miami Dolphins in Week 12.
This is essentially an elimination game. The Dolphins still have much work to do if they want to reach the playoffs despite a three-game winning run, with the Panthers knowing another reverse would spell the end of their dreams considering how tough things could get after their bye.
Carolina no longer has any wiggle room. Nothing less than a complete performance and a victory will do.
Whether they can accomplish this or not is another matter entirely.
With this in mind, here are the five most important Panthers players at the Dolphins in Week 12.
Player No. 1

Zane Gonzalez – Carolina Panthers K
There weren’t many opportunities for Zane Gonzalez last weekend – no field goal attempts to be precise. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as Carolina made their red-zone chances count more often than not, but the kicker will need to be at the top of his game this weekend when called upon on the road.
Gonzalez has been flawless since his rough first game. The two-time NFC Special Teams Player of the Week has converted 90.5 percent of his field goals since joining the Panthers – a trend that needs to continue over the remaining six games.
If the seventh-round pick out of Arizona State can maintain this positive momentum – starting at the Dolphins on Sunday – then the Panthers would be foolish not to extend the player given their kicking complications prior to his arrival.