Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium after blowing an early 17-0 lead:
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist
This is an ugly loss, about as ugly as it’s been in the coach Mike McDaniel era. Forget about WR Tyreek Hill being out with a season-ending knee injury. The run defense was terrible and the Dolphins’ ability to get the ball to TE Darren Waller disappeared. There’s no excuse for this kind of loss, especially blowing a 17-0 lead in the process.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer
How did it ever come to that in this game? It was 17-0 and the Dolphins were rolling. Miami’s inept run defense reared its ugly head at the worst time, and the offense went quiet. This season continues to go down the drain once you thought some turnaround was in the works.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor
The Dolphins’ sieve run defense allowed 242 yards before Bryce Young started kneeling to run out the clock. That represents record futility for the first five games of a Dolphins season with an insane 872 yards on the ground. Dolphins need to get into sell mode for the trade deadline now, if not sooner.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor
The Dolphins’ collapse was unsightly and it goes primarily onto the defense’s shoulders. Dolphins are staring into the abyss.