Carolina Wins In The Clutch After Major Comeback Against The Dolphins

The Carolina Panthers did the unthinkable and pulled off an impressive comeback to defeat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 in Week 5, moving to a 2-3 record on the season. This win now puts Carolina at 2-0 when playing at home after securing the win. 

Miami jumped out to a commanding 17–0 lead in the first half, capitalizing on Carolina’s turnovers and building momentum behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s efficient passing (27/36 completions, 256 yards) and a well-balanced Miami attack on the run. Yet, the Panthers refused to fold in front of their home crowd. With adjustments on both sides of the ball, Carolina began chipping away before halftime, closing the gap and entering the break in greater shape than what fans may have thought going into the game. 

In the second half, Carolina’s defense stiffened, forcing punts and key stops, while the offense found life behind the legs of running back Rico Dowdle and the arm of QB1 Bryce Young. Due to the injury of Chubba Hubbard (calf), Dowdle showed up big time when needed as he rushed for 206 yards with 23 carries while Young threw two key touchdowns with a passer rating of 90.7. 

As the game turned into a back-and-forth affair, Miami briefly retook the lead with a long touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Williams for 46 yards. However, the Panthers answered with a decisive drive. Young connected with tight end Mitchell Evans on a 4-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead. 

In the final moments, Carolina’s defense held on strong. A critical sack and a pass interference penalty against the Dolphins sealed the deal, allowing the Panthers to run out the clock and win their second game of the 2025 season. This victory only showcased Carolina’s resiliency and ability to respond under pressure, while also raising questions about Miami’s ability to not only close out games but also the future head coach Mike McDaniels. 

With this win, the Panthers hope that this momentum carries into their next matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6.