Pressure Point: Dolphins’ collapse at Carolina signals change inevitable

The Miami Dolphins lost a lot when Tyreek Hill blew out his knee in week 4.

His absence is not the reason the Dolphins’ season is a lost cause five weeks in following a dispiriting 27-24 loss Sunday at Carolina.

Not with the timely arrival of another former All-Pro receiver, Darren Waller, providing a dynamic new weapon for Tua Tagovailoa (5 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown). And with Jaylen Waddle doing his part to fill the void (6 catches for 110 yards including a 46-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter).

No, the absolute failure of this poorly constructed Dolphins team isn’t about having enough play makers on offense.

It’s about the must fundamental aspect of the game. If you can’t man up on at the line of scrimmage, you’re a pushover.

The Dolphins have been just that, bowled over and bludgeoned on both sides of the ball, week after week.

Dolphins out-muscled at line of scrimmage

Two stark numbers succinctly summarize how the Dolphins lost this battle of 1-3 teams after building a 17-0 lead:

Miami mustered only 19 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

Carolina rushed for 239 yards on 32 attempts.

It was a simple matter of brute force and the ability (and will) to block and tackle. Each category was no contest in favor of the Panthers.

Carolina achieved that despite missing starting running back Chuba Hubbard. That proved no impediment with backup Rico Dowdle running wild for 206 yards while averaging 9 yards a carry.

Dowdle went 53 yards untouched around the right side before Mincah Fitzpatrick made a touchdown-saving tackle on one third-quarter run.

There is no apparent solution to the inability to run the ball or stop the opponent from doing so.

None of it. And I mean NONE of it changes if Grier stays. I hate to sit here & advocate for people to lose their livelihoods but the whole thing is toxic. From ownership on down. The FO is the same faces who make mistake after mistake, year after year unpunished. Clear the FO out

— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) October 5, 2025

No easy fixes for Dolphins’ shortcomings

These are the players that were chosen to fill this deeply flawed roster. It’s not a matter of watching the video and making adjustments. This group simply is not good enough.

The gap just to attain mediocrity is a wide chasm.

Consequently, the Collapse at Carolina has the look of a regime-ending defeat. It’s a matter of when, not if, heads will roll.

The remainder of the season will be more about what team owner Steve Ross decides to do than about how coaches and players adjust. Because drastic change is inevitable now.

While fans are chanting for firings, beginning with the coach and general manager, the state of the franchise is disheartening for everyone who still cares about it.

The latest so-called rebuilding effort, convened after the 2019 season, has produced nothing more than two one-and-done playoff appearances. This season is destined to be the second in a row without an extra game.

The drought without a postseason win since 2000 is no closer to ending. It will be a long climb from starting over again.

How it feels to watch the dolphins go from being up 17-0 to down 20-17 to the Panthers

pic.twitter.com/keebIZXJmV

— Riley (@Ri_S_OB) October 5, 2025

Dolphins squander early lead

Sunday’s loss was a prime example of how the Dolphins build up hopes, only to let their followers down. They took advantage of two turnovers by Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to build a 17-0 lead.

But after Waller caught a 4-yard pass from Tua in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter, the big tight end wasn’t targeted again the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Panthers realized they could run with ease through Anthony Weaver’s defense and the outcome appeared inevitable even while the Dolphins clung to the lead.

Tagovailoa, as he often does, won the stats game with 256 yards passing, three touchdowns and a 122.0 passer rating. But his day ended with a high throw off Waddle’s fingertips and a sack.

Ultimately, his accomplishments in the game — including the long TD heave to Waddle to reclaim the lead with less than five minutes remaining — had a hollow ring, much like his career.

Watching it unfold was like witnessing a crash in slow motion. With 12 games left to be played out, it remains to be seen how much of the audience bothers to keep watching.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.