Wednesday's National Football League Capsules

Nov 18, 2009 - 5:27 PM OPENING LINE - Panthers by 3

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Miami 4-5; Carolina 4-5

SERIES RECORD - Miami leads 3-0

LAST MEETING - Dolphins beat Panthers 27-24, Sept. 25, 2005

LAST WEEK - Dolphins beat Buccaneers 25-23; Panthers beat Falcons 28-19

DOLPHINS OFFENSE - OVERALL (23), RUSH (4), PASS (30)

DOLPHINS DEFENSE - OVERALL (19), RUSH (7), PASS (27)

PANTHERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (21), RUSH (3), PASS (25)

PANTHERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (12), RUSH (25), PASS (4)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Matchup of division winners from last season looking to get into playoff mix after slow starts. ... Each club depends on its running game, but Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown (foot) is out. ... Ricky Williams is expected to get bulk of carries and take some snaps in wildcat. Williams rushed for 102 yards Sunday vs. Bucs. ... Game marks return of Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning to Carolina, where he was fired after 2006 season. ... Henning first used wildcat in Carolina late in 2006 season, when DeAngelo Williams rushed for seven first downs in eight tries in win over Atlanta. ... Dolphins LB Joey Porter's status is uncertain after he was healthy scratch vs. Bucs. ... With Brown out, Miami rookie Pat White could get increased role at site of final college game, where he became first starting QB to go 4-0 in bowls. ... Miami is 1-3 on road. ... Dolphins' first trip to Charlotte since 1998. ... It's first Thursday game in Panthers' 15-year history. ... Miami and Houston (0-2) are only teams Carolina has never beaten. Panthers are only team Dolphins have never lost to. ... Panthers unveiled no-huddle offense vs. Falcons, and Jake Delhomme went turnover-free for third straight game. He had 13 INTs in first six games. ... Panthers have improved from minus-14 turnover margin to minus-7 in last three games. ... Panthers lost Pro Bowl LT Jordan Gross to broken ankle vs. Atlanta. Travelle Wharton moves to his spot and Mackenzy Bernadeau is inserted at LG. ... Steve Smith's two2 TD catches vs. Falcons tripled output by Carolina WRs this season. ... Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 174 yards and two TDs vs. Falcons.

END CAPSULE