Fantasy Scouting Report: Dolphins @ Panthers

Remember, there’s a Thursday night game. The Miami Dolphins visit the Carolina Panthers. We asked The Phinsider and Cat Scratch Reader for their fantasy assessments of their team for tonight’s contest.

First, the Dolphins from The Phinsider.

Ricky Williams
With Ronnie Brown done for the season, Ricky becomes a “must start” each and every week. This week, in particular, Williams is facing the 25th ranked rushing defense in Carolina off of a short week of preparation. Expect 20+ carries out of Ricky this week. He may be 32 years old, but his body is fresh and he himself said back in training camp that he’s in the best physical shape of his life. Beginning tonight, we’ll see if that is indeed true.
Chad Henne
While Henne has been pretty good this season making his first six career starts, let’s be honest. The Dolphins aren’t a passing team and they lack any real threat in the passing game. Henne does have one good start under his belt - from a fantasy perspective. But that was back in week five against the Jets (240 yards, 2 touchdowns). Since then, Henne hasn’t thrown for more than 219 yards or more than one touchdown in a game. Carolina has a top ten pass defense, so keep Henne on your bench unless you’re very desperate.

Ted Ginn Jr.
Ginn is a guy who has clearly lost his confidence. He’s been seeing fewer snaps each week. He did reclaim his starting job last week, but dropped the first pass that went his way on Miami’s first play from scrimmage - and it would have been a 40+ yard reception. He only saw two more targets after that play. Right now for Ginn, it’s either you get lucky and he has one big play that results in a touchdown (deep pass from Henne or a return TD) or you get a reception or two for 15 yards. Don’t start him.
Davone Bess
If you’re going to start any receiver, Bess is the guy to use. He’s coming off a 70+ yard receiving week. He won’t score you any touchdowns - most likely - but he has great hands and could pick up chunks of yardage at a time like he did last week during Miami’s game-winning drive with a minute left. If you’re in a PPR league, Bess is probably worth a start this week.
Miami Dolphins Defense
I think this might be the “sleeper start” of the week. The Panthers want to run the ball, but the Dolphins are very good at stopping the run - allowing just 3.7 yards per carry. If the Dolphins can contain Carolina’s two backs, they’ll be forced to put the ball in the air with Jake Delhomme. And we all know that Jake is as turnover prone as they come. The Dolphins are also tied for fourth in the league in sacks (25) while the Panthers will be without LT Jordan Gross. Take a chance and start this unit tonight.

From the Carolina point of view, Cat Scratch Reader.

RB DeAngelo Williams. Jonathan Stewart
This is one of the harder weeks to predict which Panthers player might have big fantasy games. I consider both RB’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart good starts in spite of the Dolphins top 10 run defense but some caution should be considered given both are listed as ‘Questionable’ for the game. Regardless I’m pretty sure both will play and be effective as Williams played last week with the same injury and Stewart has been hurt all season supposedly but he has done played well. The Panthers should score at least two TD’s on the ground and put up 140 yards combined between the two.

WR Steve Smith
I also think the Panthers will test the Dolphin secondary with Steve Smith so he is also a good play but more caution: the forecast is for rain.

QB Jake Delhomme
I continue to be bearish on QB Jake Delhomme in spite of his decent performance last week.

Panthers Defense/ST
The Panthers defense has improved but is still only a decent play only if you have no better option. I also do not recommend kicker John Kasay as his chances have been limited and with the rain factor he might miss another FG (or get another one blocked).