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Welcome to our Panthers vs. Dolphins fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em matchups analysis article for Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season.
Read our matchups analysis, player breakdowns, and lineup recommendations for the matchup and set those winning lineups. Good luck RotoBallers!
Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins -14.0
Implied Total: Panthers (16.75) vs. Dolphins (30.75)
Pace: Panthers (7th) vs. Dolphins (18th)
Panthers Off. DVOA: -9.5% Pass (30th), -21.6% Rush (27th)
Dolphins Off. DVOA: 62.3% Pass (1st), 33.9% Rush (1st)
Panthers Def. DVOA: 2.3% Pass (11th), 21.8% Rush (32nd)
Dolphins Def. DVOA: 15.0% Pass (23rd), -3.5% Rush (24th)
WEATHER: This game is expected to have moderate wind but no rain, which means things should be more or less business as usual.
Matchups We Love
Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA)
We didn't get the blow-up game we'd hoped for in a juicy matchup with the Giants, largely because of the rushing attack. De'Von Achane is a problem for the passing attack because he breaks off massive chunk plays, often for touchdowns, ending drives before anyone else touches the ball.
Sadly for Achane, he suffered a knee injury that's going to sideline him for at least four weeks after being placed on Injured Reserve. We'll dig into what that means for the backfield shortly, but for Tagovailoa and the passing attack, it means more will be required of them. The Panthers were just torched by Jared Goff for four touchdowns, positioning Tagovailoa as an elite option.
Dolphins WRs
Tyreek Hill watched Achane hit the highest speed on a play this season and basically said anything you can do I can do better, besting his miles per hour on a 69-yard house call. He had another huge day as we've come to expect in this offense.
What was nice to see was Jaylen Waddle joining him. Waddle found the end zone once, almost twice if not for a penalty. He also finished with 10 targets, partially because Hill spent a few minutes getting examined on the sideline. In either case, they're both superb starts against Carolina.
Dolphins RBs
As we mentioned, Achane is now out of the picture for at least four weeks. While the composition of the backfield is a bit ambiguous, we can say for certain Raheem Mostert is the starter. He's a top-12 back against the dead-last run defense of the Panthers. There's still plenty of opportunity for another player to deliver, which is why knowing who else to target will be valuable.
The place to start is with Jeff Wilson Jr., who the team has designated to return from Injured Reserve, and practiced on Wednesday. If he's active, he becomes the preferred RB2 of this group given his history and familiarity with the system. However, there is a chance they reduce his snaps in a game they should win easily. Next up would be Salvon Ahmed, who handled six touches against the Patriots in Week 2. After that, it's Chris Brooks, but that's more of a desperation play if Wilson misses. Wilson was limited in Wednesday and Thursday's practice. We'll get an official designation on Friday, but he seems probable to play.
UPDATE: Despite another limited practice on Friday, Wilson is listed as doubtful, which almost always means the player will be out. Ahmed is starting to look more appealing is a flex option.
Matchups We Hate
Bryce">Bryce" data-id="24199">Bryce">Bryce" data-id="23132">Bryce">Bryce+Young">Bryce Young (QB, CAR)
Young helped dig his team a hole with two interceptions, forcing them to throw 41 times. The Lions were sitting back in prevent defense for most of the fourth quarter, allowing Young to lead two scoring drives. He finished with three touchdowns, which is nice.
However, for that to repeat, the game script will need to be similar, which is possible, and all their touchdowns will need to come through the air again, which seems unlikely. He's best avoided despite a decent matchup.
Other Matchups
Adam Thielen (WR, CAR)
Thielen just keeps getting it done week after week. 13 targets, 11 receptions, 107 yards, and a score. What more can you ask for from him at this stage of his career on a bottom-five team? He's a volume-based top-20 receiver who can find the end zone.
Rookie Jonathan Mingo made his return and immediately made an impact, earning six targets. He played behind DJ Chark Jr., who caught the other touchdown Young threw in the fourth quarter, but it was a promising sign for a chance to carve out a role. Chark is a touchdown-dependent flex option while Mingo would be risky to start.
Panthers RBs
Miles Sanders entered the game with a groin injury and left with a shoulder ailment that held him out of practice Wednesday. It's concerning because he's already playing fewer snaps than he did earlier in the season and he's ceding work to Chuba Hubbard. If he was completely healthy, there's a strong possibility he'd lead the way, but these nagging issues are likely to keep this backfield a legitimate timeshare.
It's a good matchup with a chance for checkdowns while trailing, but the split forces both into the flex range. Sanders missed back-to-back practices to open the week, increasing the odds he misses on Sunday. Hubbard would be a solid top-24 back if Sanders is out.
UPDATE: Sanders has been ruled out, vaulting Hubbard into the top 24.
Notable Injuries
Jeff Wilson Jr. (abdomen)
De'Von Achane (knee)
Miles Sanders (shoulder)
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