Staff predictions.

Dave Hyde Sports Columnist

Season record: 3-5 Prediction: Panthers 24, Dolphins 13 Comment: A Dolphins offense that’s had trouble scoring, especially on the road, goes against the league’s top-rated defense. Maybe the new-look Dolphins’ offense can make it work. But that’s not how you pick it.

David Selig Sports Editor

Season record: 5-3 Prediction: Panthers 26, Dolphins 17 Comment: It’ll be interesting to see Adam Gase’s offense evolve with pass-catching running backs. But Carolina already has one of the best in that category in Christian McCaffrey. And the Panthers have one of the league’s stingiest defenses, too.

Omar Kelly Dolphins Writer/Columnist

Season record: 5-3 Prediction: Panthers 24, Dolphins 21 Comment: Even though the Dolphins’ offense has been making progress recently, I don't have the confidence they can score 24 points on the road, which is what will likely be needed to beat Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Keven Lerner Online Sports Editor

Season record: 5-3 Prediction: Panthers 27, Dolphins 13

Comment: The Panthers are 10-point favorites for good reason. They have the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense, allowing just 274.1 yards per game, and have held four offenses without a touchdown. The Dolphins average an NFL-worst 14.5 points a game.

Matt Lincoln CBS12 Sports Director

Season record: 4-4 Prediction: Panthers 26, Dolphins 21 Comment: The Dolphins have wilted under the bright lights of prime time the past two weeks, and while the Panthers don't have dangerous weapons on the outside, their pass-catching backs and tight ends may give the Dolphins fits.

Steve Svekis Assistant Sports Editor Season record: 4-4 Prediction: Panthers 26, Dolphins 21 Comment: The Dolphins will need a defensive performance that can limit the

open-space challenges posed by Cam Newton, who has led Carolina to back-to-back wins despite the lowest two-game passing total of his career (291).