Dolphins Struggle in 27-24 Loss to Panthers: Key Snap Counts Analyzed
The Miami Dolphins faced a challenging match on October 1, 2023, falling 27-24 to the Carolina Panthers. The game was notable for several player snap counts, particularly in the absence of key players. Second-year running back Jaylen Wright was among the inactives, continuing his struggle with a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the first two games of the season. Other inactive players included defensive tackle Zeek Biggers, injured cornerback Storm Duck, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., and emergency third quarterback Quinn Ewers.
All active players participated in the game except for backup quarterback Zach Wilson. A total of six players saw action exclusively on special teams, including Cameron Goode and Kendall Lamm.
Dolphins’ Offense: Notable Trends and Player Performance
The Dolphins’ offense demonstrated a significant rushing effort, gaining over 200 yards, which typically correlates with a higher number of offensive plays. The Panthers executed 70 plays compared to the Dolphins’ 55. With the absence of standout receiver Tyreek Hill, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane stepped up, logging over 87 percent of the snaps—89 percent for Waddle and 87 percent for Achane.
Achane’s snap count was notable, as he played 53 snaps, maintaining a high percentage of participation in the previous game against the New England Patriots. Tight end Darren Waller increased his offensive snaps to 32 against Carolina, although he did not receive a target in the second half. Surprisingly, it was Nick Westbrook-Ikhine who recorded the second-most snaps at wide receiver with 39, outpacing Malik Washington, who played 32 snaps without being targeted.
Rookie running back Ollie Gordon II maintained a consistent snap count, logging 14 against Carolina, mirroring his previous two games. This indicates a limited rotation at running back, with Gordon primarily providing a breather for Achane.
Dolphins’ Defense: Snap Counts Highlight Key Players
On the defensive side, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was the only player to participate in all 70 defensive snaps. Linebackers Jack Jones, Jordyn Brooks, and Rasul Douglas also had near-complete participation, missing only one play each. The Dolphins shifted their defensive alignment, utilizing three off-the-ball linebackers against the Panthers, which included Willie Gay Jr. as a starter, though he played only three defensive snaps.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver faced scrutiny regarding the distribution of snaps among linebackers, a pattern that continued in this game. Linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb logged 53 and 52 snaps, respectively, while newcomers Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon saw less playing time with 21 and 20 snaps.
The defensive line featured Zach Sieler, who was on the field for 80 percent of the plays, followed by Kenneth Grant with 30 snaps, Matthew Butler with 29, Jordan Phillips with 23, and Benito Jones with 20. Following a head injury to Tyrel Dodson, linebacker K.J. Britt stepped in for 22 snaps after playing only one in the previous four games.
In terms of nickel cornerback play, Cornell Armstrong was limited to 23 snaps due to a hamstring issue, allowing Ifeatu Melifonwu to gain more playing time with 25 snaps. Special teams also saw action, with Elijah Campbell leading with 25 snaps, followed by Britt and Goode.
The Dolphins will need to regroup to enhance their performance as they continue through the season. The insights from this game regarding player usage and performance may inform future strategies as the team looks to improve upon their record.
