NFL Thursday Night Preview - Dolphins/Panthers

The NFL Network gets another shot to deliver a good game. Last week's Bears/Niners matchup...not memorable by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it was about the worst game last week and I am taking the Monday night game into consideration.

I'm not totally sold on this week's game either, but both teams sure can run tote the rock! If you like smashmouth football, this just might be your kind of game.

  Miami (4-5) @ Carolina (4-5)

Dolphins: The bulk of Miami's offense was stolen by a foot injury to RB Ronnie Brown. Brown was placed on IR for the second time in his career. Brown's absence will put more of the offensive load on RB Ricky Williams...or will it? One thing to consider is will this be the opportunity to insert QB Pat White more in the offense? Interesting thought. I do think Williams will have more carries, but I also look for White to be more involved. The Dolphins strength (4th in rushing) is the Panthers weakness (25th against the run), and the absence of Brown may not be as striking for this particular matchup.

LB Joey Porter will be active this week after a coach's decision shelved him last week. How much will Porter play? Who really knows since LB Charlie Anderson played in Porter's position last week and had 6 total tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Porter's action may be somewhat limited.

Panthers: T Jordan Gross' season has been shortened due to surgery on his ankle. QB Jake Delhomme will have to check his backside a bit more now as Gross was the charge to protect it. Speaking of Delhomme, it seems the INT bug has left his system...and it must stay away for Carolina to have a chance in this game and any game going forward. But we all know the RB tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart (right) are the Panthers offense. The issue is the health of both Williams (knee) and Stewart (Achilles), who both are listed as questionable. It's been a short work week and their recovery time was severely limited.

This game will be determined by how well the Panthers D plays against the Dolphins rushing attack. DE Julius Peppers should be good to go this week, and he may play a huge role in stopping the run. We all know Peppers for his pass rush (7.0 sacks this season), but if he can force the run to the inside, the Panthers could actually contain the Fins rush.

A must win for both teams. The winner is 5-5 and still in the playoff picture. The loser is 4-6 and is looking at a real possiblity of having to win out for a chance to make the postseason.