Things looked incredibly bleak for the Carolina Panthers early in their Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins. Sloppy turnovers were punished, leaving Dave Canales' squad down 17 points in the first quarter. Some fans turned off, fearing another heavy defeat after such a lackluster opening to proceedings.
And then, the tide began to shift. The Panthers came out with renewed purpose. They began to impose their will on the Dolphins and got their way back into the contest when all hope was fading. And when the time came to come through in the clutch, quarterback Bryce Young delivered.
It wasn't perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination. However, being 2-3 looks a whole lot better than 1-4 in the grand scheme of things. There are still some things to clean up, and this slow start would have been punished against a better team. But the Panthers are still in the fight.
The result was much more important than the performance. This is a morale boost that everyone associated with the franchise desperately needed. Canales must get his team ready to build upon it, starting in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
That's for the future. For now, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina's comeback success at Bank of America Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' comeback success against the Dolphins
Winner No. 1
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
Xavier Legette has been an easy scapegoat. The wide receiver has been criticized from all angles for his underperformance. Some have even accused him of not focusing firmly on football, worrying too much about other interests. He's cut a dejected figure over the last fortnight, but he finally got the chance to silence his doubters against the Dolphins.
The numbers weren't gaudy by any stretch. However, this was a step in the right direction from Legette.
The No. 32 pick in 2024 produced a sensational touchdown catch off a Bryce Young throw to give the Panthers some hope. Legette brought in another crucial grab late in the game. The fact that his signal-caller looked to him in this key moment speaks volumes about the unwavering confidence within the locker room.
It's a step-by-step process, but Legette leaped forward. There are still issues with separation and timing. Still, this performance cannot be seen as anything other than positive, as the wideout looks to make those who've already written him off eat their words.
Sometimes, that's all the motivation you need.
Winner No. 2
A'Shawn Robinson - Carolina Panthers DL
The Carolina Panthers' defensive front came under fire almost constantly last season. Losing Derrick Brown after just one game was a body blow, which placed raised expectations on others that couldn't be met.
A'Shawn Robinson was among the most glaring disappointments. Ejiro Evero switched him to the nose tackle spot this offseason after some hefty investments in the defensive trenches. This has provided the spark to much better fortunes.
Robinson didn't seem too keen on playing the nose last season. Looking at the way he sets a core base on running plays and flashing explosiveness in obvious pass-rushing situations, he seems tailor-made to be the team's anchor.
The Alabama product was nothing short of outstanding throughout. Robinson is an imposing figure who is very difficult to stop once momentum is established. And the Dolphins had absolutely no answer in Week 5.
Loser No. 1
Mike Jackson Sr. - Carolina Panthers CB
Mike Jackson Sr. has been a high-quality addition to the Carolina Panthers. The veteran cornerback came in last season and performed well in difficult circumstances. More was expected this time around after his new contract, but he's more than met them so far.
That said, this wasn't Jackson's best showing. The former Miami Hurricanes standout was inconsistent in coverage, especially when lined up against Jaylen Waddle. He got burned deep on a long touchdown catch that could have tipped the scales in Miami's favor. Fortunately, it didn't affect the overall outcome.
Jackson had some decent moments, but they were fleeting. Nobody should be pressing the panic button, especially looking at his overall body of work this season. That should provide confidence in his chances of bouncing back, which will be needed going up against George Pickens and the formidable Dallas Cowboys offense at Bank of America Stadium in Week 6.
Winner No. 3
Christian Rozeboom - Carolina Panthers LB
The linebacking corps took some severe heat for another lackluster performance against the New England Patriots. Fans were calling for change, which raised the stakes in no uncertain terms heading into this one.
Christian Rozeboom was under a glaring microscope. The veteran free-agent signing wasn't expected to be a starter in 2025. However, the unfortunate concussion issues that led to Josey Jewell's stunning release changed everything.
It was a lot to ask. Rozeboom struggled to meet even modest expectations, and patience was wearing thin. Thankfully for the player and the Panthers, he showed enough resolve to bounce back emphatically.
This was Rozeboom's best performance since joining the Panthers, and it's not particularly close. He was always around the action, stifling Miami's rushing attack while also holding his own in coverage after some early jitters.
Rozeboom set a new standard for himself. Keeping this up is the next challenge.
Winner No. 4
Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers RB
The Carolina Panthers opted to give Chuba Hubbard some extra rest to recover from his calf problem. This provided Rico Dowdle with the opportunity to showcase his abilities from a starting-caliber role.
And he took full advantage.
Dowdle steamrolled his way to one of the finest rushing performances in the Panthers' franchise history. He was breaking off massive yardage at will. There was nothing the Dolphins could do to counteract this threat, and it was the primary catalyst behind Carolina's resurgence when they appeared to be down and out.
The former South Carolina star proved his worth with 206 rushing yards and one touchdown from 23 carries. Dowdle also brought in three receptions from four targets for 28 receiving yards, rounding off a highly profitable afternoon at the office.
This was a tone-setting performance from Dowdle. It'll be interesting to see how the running back dynamic looks if Hubbard gets the all-clear to participate this weekend.
Loser No. 2
Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers CB
Jaycee Horn was solid if not spectacular. But as one of the team's locker room alphas and very few exceptional performers, he's held to a much higher standard.
This wasn't Horn's best performance of the campaign. He gave up a touchdown to tight end Darren Waller, and he was beaten on a couple of occasions by Jaylen Waddle. It was relatively pleasing aside from that, but the shutdown presence fans have become accustomed to just wasn't quite there.
Horn is experienced enough to brush this off. He's bordering on elite-level production this season, so he should bounce back quickly. And if the Panthers want to build on their positive momentum, they'll need the 2021 first-round pick out of South Carolina to be fit and firing on all cylinders.
This was the slightest bump in the road for Horn. And it's a testament to his flourishing credentials that a performance like this could be classed as a disappointment.
Winner No. 5
Carolina Panthers 2025 draft class
Dan Morgan must have watched this one with the same pride a father would. His 2025 draft class came of age, and almost all of them played a significant role in the team's triumph when all hope seemed lost.
Tetairoa McMillan is on track to superstardom. The edge rushing duo of Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen was highly influential. Running back Trevor Etienne got yards when his number was called. Tight end Mitchell Evans scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Horn Jr., making his regular-season debut, came up with a couple of huge catches — one of which was on a fourth down with the game on the line.
If the Panthers are going to get out of their slump and become competitive over a sustainable period, Morgan must build through the draft. It's still early days, but it seems like there are some big-time hits from his latest choices.