Fins Fall To Panthers In 2nd Preseason Contest, 23-17
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton outplayed rookie Ryan Tannehill in a matchup of young quarterbacks Friday night as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Miami Dolphins 23-17 in a preseason game.
Newton looked extremely sharp, completing 8 of 11 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers (No. 20 in the AP Pro32) jumped all over the injury-depleted Dolphins defense early, scoring on their first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead.
Last year's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year threw a touchdown pass to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart scored on a 2-yard plunge. Newton had been expected to play into the second quarter, but was removed with 1:12 left in the first after a solid night's work.
Tannehill, making his first preseason start for the Dolphins (No. 27 in the AP Pro32), played the entire first half and led six possessions — four of which ended in three-and-out. He finished 11 of 23 for 100 yards passing.