Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins: 2023 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-10-15, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 42–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Young (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with -10.87 total EPA, and +3.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.63 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+14.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (2:00) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-10-T.Hill, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Tagovailoa · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +16.63 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Hill · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +10.91 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Thielen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +9.15 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Mostert · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +6.87 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Waddle · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.75 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Hubbard · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +3.58 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Berrios · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Ahmed · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +3.04 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Carolina Panthers — C. Hubbard (Q1 52:18)
• Carolina Panthers — A. Thielen (B. Young pass) (Q1 45:09)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Mostert (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q2 41:19)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Waddle (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q2 37:07)
• Miami Dolphins — T. Hill (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Mostert (Q3 21:25)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Mostert (Q4 12:27)
• Carolina Panthers — T. Hill (Q4 4:37)
• Miami Dolphins — S. Ahmed (Q4 2:38)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIA 6 (Q1 52:18) — (7:18) 30-C.Hubbard up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA-55-J.Baker, Defensive Offside, declined.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 52:13) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIA 8 (Q1 45:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 45:06) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 21–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the CAR 3 (Q2 41:19) — (11:19) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 31-R.Mostert for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 41:13) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q2 37:07) — (7:07) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 17-J.Waddle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 37:00) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the CAR 41 (Q2 32:00); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 31:54) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q3 21:25) — (6:25) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 21:21) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–13. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q4 12:27) — (12:27) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 12:23) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the CAR 39 (Q4 4:37) — (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-M.White pass short right intended for 26-S.Ahmed INTERCEPTED by 13-T.Hill at CAR 39. 13-T.Hill for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIA 15 (Q4 4:26) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the CAR 9 (Q4 2:38) — (2:38) 26-S.Ahmed right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 2:31) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Miami Dolphins (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-10-T.Hill, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.95]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 37:07) — (7:07) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 17-J.Waddle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +1.54]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 51:08) — (6:08) 1-T.Tagovailoa FUMBLES (Aborted) at MIA 26, recovered by MIA-31-R.Mostert at MIA 25. 31-R.Mostert pushed ob at MIA 24 for -1 yards (54-K.Grugier-Hill). [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.37]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep middle to 19-A.Thielen pushed ob at MIA 37 for 27 yards (33-E.Apple) [43-A.Van Ginkel]. [WPA +7.6% · EPA +1.80]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 38:20) — (8:20) 31-R.Mostert left tackle pushed ob at CAR 8 for 49 yards (23-C.Henderson). [WPA +7.4% · EPA +3.04]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:37) — (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-M.White pass short right intended for 26-S.Ahmed INTERCEPTED by 13-T.Hill at CAR 39. 13-T.Hill for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.5% · EPA -8.98]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-10-T.Hill, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.95]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:38) — (2:38) 26-S.Ahmed right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +4.23]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 17:31) — (2:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass incomplete deep right to 81-H.Hurst. [WPA -5.2% · EPA -3.56]

Quarterback report card

B.Young led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Young (Carolina Panthers) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · +3.3% CPOE · -0.25 EPA/play · -10.87 total EPA
• T.Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) · 32 dropbacks · 65.6% completion · +6.5% CPOE · +0.52 EPA/play · +16.63 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Miami Dolphins held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, -9.16 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, +13.78 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Young (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Tagovailoa (MIA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 52:18 · MIA 6 · Score 6-0
   (7:18) 30-C.Hubbard up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA-55-J.Baker, Defensive Offside, declined.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 52:13 · MIA 15 · Score 7-0
   4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
3. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 45:09 · MIA 8 · Score 13-0
   (:09) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 45:06 · MIA 15 · Score 14-0
   4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
5. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 41:19 · CAR 3 · Score 14-6
   (11:19) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 31-R.Mostert for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 41:13 · CAR 15 · Score 14-7
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
7. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 37:07 · CAR 4 · Score 14-13
   (7:07) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 17-J.Waddle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 37:00 · CAR 15 · Score 14-14
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
9. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · CAR 41 · Score 14-20
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-10-T.Hill, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced betw
10. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 31:54 · CAR 15 · Score 14-21
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
11. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 21:25 · CAR 4 · Score 14-27
    (6:25) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 21:21 · CAR 15 · Score 14-28
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
13. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 12:27 · CAR 1 · Score 14-34
    (12:27) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 12:23 · CAR 15 · Score 14-35
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 4:37 · CAR 39 · Score 20-35
    (4:37) (Shotgun) 14-M.White pass short right intended for 26-S.Ahmed INTERCEPTED by 13-T.Hill at CAR 39. 13-T.Hill for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers TD (+7) — Q4 4:26 · MIA 15 · Score 21-35
    4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
17. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 2:38 · CAR 9 · Score 21-41
    (2:38) 26-S.Ahmed right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 2:31 · CAR 15 · Score 21-42
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-16-J.Bailey.