Panthers vs. Dolphins Point Spread: NFL Week 6 Odds, Prediction
Miami has relied heavily on their offence this season as they sit atop the AFC East standings with a 4-1 record following 31-16 victory over the Giants last week. It’s been the opposite story for Carolina. At 0-5, the Panthers are the lone winless team left in the NFL and they are coming off a 42-24 blowout loss in Detroit.
This is easily the biggest spread on the NFL odds this week, with the Dolphins favoured to win by about two touchdown, while the total sits at 47.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This is a rare matchup as the teams only meet once every few years. It’s the first head-to-head since Miami beat Carolina 33-10 in Week 12 of the 2021 season. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 240 yards and a touchdown, while Panthers pivots Cam Newton and P.J. Walker combined for three interceptions. Newton hasn’t played since that season, while Walker is now a backup in Cleveland.
Absolutely nothing has gone right for the Panthers this year as they have failed to win a game or even cover a spread. Things aren’t likely to get much better this week as Carolina is 2-13 straight up in their last 15 road games and 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games against Miami.
The Dolphins are on a heater early in the year, going 4-1 SU and ATS. Going back a couple years, Miami has won 14 of their last 16 home dates and they’re 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, is off to a tough start to his career. Young ranks near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories, including 30th in average passing yards per game (187.5). There were flashes of potential last week as Young threw for 247 yards and three TDs, but he was also picked off twice, bringing his season TD-INT ratio to 5-4. Carolina has failed to hold a fourth quarter lead in any game this season and they’ve been outscored 84-45 in the final frame.
One of the only positives for the Panthers this season has been receiver Adam Thielen, who had 11 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown last week. Thielen ranks fourth in the NFL in receptions (38) and 11th in receiving yards (394). Key injuries to cornerback Jaycee Horn and linebacker Shaq Thompson will impact the team in Week 6. Horn likely won’t play because of a hamstring injury while Thompson is expected to miss the rest of the season with a broken leg.
Miami Dolphins
Miami’s offence is terrorizing the NFL. They lead the league in total passing yards (1,681), yards per attempt (10) and points per game (36.2) while ranking near the top in every other major offensive category. Tagovailo averages an NFL-best 322 passing yards per game while receiver Tyreek Hill leads the league with 651 receiving yards, an average of just over 130 per game. The run-game is also strong, with De’Von Achane ranked second in the NFL with 460 rushing yards. Last week against the Giants, Tagovailoa had 308 passing yards with two TDs and two INTs, Hill put up 181 receiving yards and a touchdown and Achane finished with 151 rushing yards and a score.
The Dolphins’ offence will take a bit of a hit this week as Achane is expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury. That means Raheem Mostert will carry the load, which shouldn’t be an issue. Achane and Mostert have combined for 12 rushing TDs this season and 15 overall.