When the Panthers have the ball …

■Carolina total offense (21st in NFL) vs. Miami total defense (10th in NFL)

■Carolina scoring offense (24th) vs. Miami scoring defense (16th)

■Carolina passing offense (24th) vs. Miami pass defense (14th)

Cam Newton is one of the more talented passers in the league, but his numbers haven’t been up to par this season. Newton is completing only 62.4 percent of his attempts, and has thrown more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10). The Panthers also

will be without receiver Kelvin Benjamin (Glades Central), who was shipped to Buffalo just before the trade deadline. The Panthers offense is streaky, so Miami’s defense will need to capitalize on mistakes before Newton finds his rhythm. Edge: Dolphins ■Carolina rushing offense (15th) vs. Miami rush defense (7th)

Carolina has a Swiss-army knife in rookie running back Christian McCaffrey, who has yet to be featured on a team that continues to use 30-year-old Jonathan Stewart as its lead back. In fact, Newton’s 69 carries are five more than McCaffrey has amassed this season. That three-headed monster presents a unique challenge for a Dolphins run defense that has held five opponents under 100 yards this season. Against Atlanta, which has a similar multipronged rushing attack, Miami surrendered exactly 100 yards. Adding a powerful running quarterback into the equation makes the task more difficult. Edge: Panthers

■Special teams

Cody Parkey’s extra-point enigma continued Sunday night when he missed his third PAT of the season in 12 attempts. The Jupiter native has been consistent elsewhere, nail

ing nine of 10 field-goal attempts this year. Carolina kicker Graham Gano has nailed all but one of his 20 field-goal attempts and 15 of 16 PATs. Panthers punter Michael Palardy’s 47.4 yards per kick also compares favorably to Matt Haack’s 45.2-yard average. Edge: Panthers