Dolphins want to extend streak, panthers want to return to .500 – CBS Miami

MIAMI GARDENS (AP) – There’s nothing impressive about a 5-7 record.

Unless it comes after a 1-7 start.

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That is the mission for the Miami Dolphins this week to reach 5-7 after losing seven of their first eight games to start a season. They’ll look to win their fourth straight game when they host Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (5-6) on Sunday.

“I’m not in the mood for a losing streak, winning streak, swing and no swing,” said Dolphins coach Brian Flores. “I try to stay the same either way and that’s the message I give to the players. There are always emotions in winning and losing. You try to build on winning and try to learn from the mistakes and adversities when you are unsuccessful. In both cases there is an opportunity to motivate yourself. “

What the dolphins did – only getting 4-7 – is rare. There have been 130 teams in NFL history that started with 1-7 records; the dolphins are 11th to reach 4-7. If they win on Sunday they would be sixth to go from 1-7 to 5-7.

The 1984 Green Bay Packers are the only team that started 1-0, then lost the next seven and then won the next four. The dolphins now have a chance to create the same statistical oddity.

“We just stuck together and try to get better every week,” said Christian Wilkins. “One day after the other, one game after the other, one meeting after the other, one elevator after the other.”

For Miami, 5-7 is the obvious goal for the week. However, it would be a problem for Carolina to be 5-7 on Sunday nights.

The Panthers start the weekend in ninth place in the NFC, two places from the last wildcard slot. A setback would only make the climb much steeper after the season.

“We have to play our best game against Miami,” said Panthers coach Matt Rhule. “And then we take a week off, I want our boys to recharge and then we come back and have five games, four of which are conference games, and we don’t have to worry about anything – standings, which other teams do. We just have to take care of ourselves and play good football. “

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Similar to the dolphins, the panthers have an eventful season. They started 3-0, then lost their next four and since then have alternated wins and losses. They’re 5-0 if they keep teams at 82 yards or less, 0-6 otherwise.

“You hear analytics people say, ‘It doesn’t matter,'” said Rhule. “When you’re trying to control a game, the run is important.”

FACING CAM

Newton, Carolina’s expected starter at the quarterback, is 3-1 against Miami, including a 1-1 last season when he was with New England. Flores said the dolphins saw no rust on Newton despite missing the first half of the season.

“He’s Cam. He will talk, he will compete and we are definitely ready for the challenge, ”said Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker.

FLAG TAG

Penalties are a big issue for both teams. Carolina has been flagged 81 times, the most by any team in the NFL, and Miami has drawn 75 penalties.

“Once you’ve got that reputation, it’s kind of up to you,” said Rhule of the Panthers’ preference for penalties.

Flores said avoidance of punishment was a regular focus in dolphins practice, which was repeated this week.

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