Dolphins-Panthers: Fantasy Preview

In terms of real football, Thursday night's game against the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers is a sneaky good one. Sure, it's easy to look at the matching 4-5 records and scoff at the notion, but both teams have been playing well since a disappointing start (both started 0-3). They are attempting to climb back into the playoffs for the second straight year.

In terms of fantasy football, however, we have the running game and not much else. They are two of the most heavy run-oriented teams in football and shouldn't have trouble running on each other. The bonus is the game should be pretty short with the clock always moving.

Must Starts

Ricky Williams - Carolina is bad against the run. The Dolphins love to run the ball. Ronnie Brown is out for the season. Williams was already 13th in fantasy points for running backs. Do the math.

DeAngelo Williams - When he plays, he doesn't sit in fantasy. Ever.

Probable Starts

Jonathan Stewart - The Dolphins have the league's sixth-best run defense, but are one of 10 teams to have surrendered at least 10 rushing touchdowns. Stewart likes to run at the goal line and the Panthers could run on pretty much anyone. The two concerns here are a lingering Achilles injury and his penchant to only play well every other week (he was good last week).

Steve Smith - He's incredibly hit-or-miss, but the Dolphins don't have anyone who can deal with him. You probably have to use him and hope he gets loose for one -- and Delhomme can complete it.

Dan Carpenter - He's been pretty nails this season and it's easy to foresee a few stalled red zone trips for the Fins tonight.

Deep Starts

Jake Delhomme - The Dolphins are a tough run defense who are pretty bad against the pass. I don't expect them to stop the Panthers on the ground, but the overemphasis on stopping the vaunted Panthers rushing attack will leave some holes in the secondary. Delhomme threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns last week without a turnover and we should see a similar line Thursday night.

John Kasay - No one has allowed more field goals than the Dolphins this year. Of course, Kasay hasn't been good for many points this year.

Hail Marys

Greg Camarillo - He's been their top option in the receiving game more often than not and enough of a red zone target that he'd due for a score. Of course, Dolphins receivers are as much a sure thing as anyone on the Browns.

Davone Bess - Again ... potential with huge downside.

Chad Henne - If the Dolphins are forced to increase their passing attack in lieu of Brown's absence, it's possible Henne puts up a respectable stat line. Still, no one has a bye. You'd have to be desperate.

Muhsin Muhammad - Had a good game last week but pretty much nothing before that.

The D/STs

Considering most of this game will be played on the ground, don't expect much in the way of takeaways or sacks for either unit. It's still always easy to pick on Delhomme and claim the Dolphins have the chance to intercept three or four passes, but ol' Jake hasn't thrown an interception in his past three games. I'd rather have the Dolphins because of Ted Ginn in the return game, but neither is a great option this week.

IDP Goodness

Both safeties for the Dolphins (Gibril Wilson and Yeremiah Bell) are worth using this week, as they'll look to provide run support and could rack up the tackles as their front seven deals with the power and elusiveness collectively brought by Williams and Stewart -- not to mention the offensive line.

For the Panthers, I turned to our resident Panthers fan, Will Brinson:

"With Ronnie Brown out, the Dolphins are left with much less in terms of the wildcat. This means more Henne throws and Ricky rushes, which means Chris Harris will play up and pick up several tackles. He'll also be in position to get TWO interceptions on Henne. Or Pat White. Either works."