The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-27 on a last second field goal. This was a game where the Miami Dolphins led for the entirety of the game, the Cardinals only took the lead once the clock hit zero in the fourth quarter. Kyler Murray and kicker Chad Ryland were two of the players of the game, both were on the top of their game.
The game started with the Dolphins receiving the ball, the Dolphins drove down the field and got in the endzone with a Raheem Mostert run. The ball rarely hit the ground and Tua looked like the guy he’s been for the last 3 years. He was accurate, on time, surgical, and consistent. It was a theme throughout the whole game.
The Dolphins then held the Cardinals offense and forced them to punt, while the Dolphins settled for three on a long 50+ yard field goal from Jason Sanders. This put the Dolphins up 10-0.
The Cardinals bounced back right away, Kyler Murray found rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr twice, one of which was a 25 yard reception. In the red zone, Kyler Murray made a play with his feet giving himself more time and then found Michael Wilson wide open in the back of the endzone for 6. That was always going to be an issue for Miami to defend, Kyler is so impressive in that regard.
The two teams exchanged punts after that, but the Dolphins had a long 88 yard drive resulting in a field goal. Tua Tagovailoa’s best throw of the drive was a 30 yard ball to Tyreek Hill where the ball was dropped right in the bucket. The Dolphins had to settle for 3 and end the half 13-7.
The Cardinals bounced back, cutting the lead to 13-10, Chad Ryland was great for Arizona all day. But the drive after, the Dolphins once again responded. This time it was the second year man Devon Achane out of Texas A&M who got the Dolphins in the endzone. On the first play of the drive, Achane rushed for 47 yards to get the Dolphins already in field goal range. A few plays later, it was a perfectly executed screen pass that got the Dolphins into the endzone. Chefs kiss to the execution of that drive.
The Cardinals would punt back, but the Dolphins shot themselves in the foot immediately. Aaron Brewer and Tua Tagovailoa had a bad exchange on the snap out of pistol formation, the ball ended up in the back of the endzone and the Cardinals were awarded the safety. There was speculation online on who was at fault for it, the ball was around Tuas eyes and it was catchable, but that ball was a heater. Aaron Brewer definitely put more on that one than other snaps. Regardless, it is safe to say both were at fault for the sequence of events.
The Cardinals scored a touchdown on the following drive, a 9 point swing in the game. This time it was the sensational Cardinals top 5 pick Marvin Harrison Jr who won on a crossing route and caught a touchdown. The Cardinals brought it within 2 points.
Both teams exchanged touchdowns the next two drives. The Dolphins got in with veteran Raheem Mostert, Mostert had two touchdowns on the day. The Cardinals got in with James Conner.
The stage was set for the Dolphins and Cardinals, who has more fight here? The Dolphins tried to sustain a drive, but after a few first downs, the play calling got complacent and the Dolphins were forced to punt. Kyler Murray was given the opportunity to put his team in field goal range and he did just that.
The drive was surgical and calculated for Kyler Murray, he hit Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr over the middle to move the chains. The real killer for the Dolphins was when they brought pressure but the Cardinals ran the ball with James Conner for 17 yards. The Dolphins then had a chance to make the Cardinals life difficult with a longer field goal, but Kyler Murray moved the chains with a 7 yard rush on 3rd and 4. Chad Ryland later set up for a 34 yard field goal and it cleared the uprights easily, the Cardinals won 28-27.
So where did the Dolphins lose this game? I can pinpoint a few spots, one of them being the obvious. The defense needs to step up when facing a promising offense. Any time your offense scores 27 points, your team should win the game, as simple as that. Kyler Murray had himself a day, the pass rush was not strong for the Dolphins. The run defense was also not too standard for Miami. Granted, Zach Sieler did not play, Miami still has to do a better job getting off the field and giving the ball to their top offense.
Another reason, the team was out coached. Late in the game when Miami had a chance to seal the win, the play calling got extremely conservative. On the opposite side, the Cardinals let it fly. I believe the Dolphins coaching staff (specifically on the offensive side of the ball), played to lose. In the national football league, it is only a matter of time before that catches up to you.
Lastly, the Dolphins shot themselves in the foot. The safety, crucial drops, and crumbling in key moments defensively to be specific. It is impossible to win games when you consistently beat yourself.
It was a big win for the Cardinals, and a loss that will sting for the Dolphins. The Dolphins now have to travel to Buffalo on Sunday, a tough game against a top team in the NFL that has their number. They are 5.5 point underdogs, will they get redemption? We will see.