Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins

The upcoming matchup features the Arizona Cardinals (3-4) facing off against the Miami Dolphins (2-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT, with FOX broadcasting the game. The Dolphins enter as favorites by 3.5 points according to BetMGM odds. When it comes to betting spread, the Dolphins have struggled this season with a record of 1-5, while the Cardinals are performing better, holding a 4-3 record. In the overall series, Miami holds a 10-3 advantage over Arizona, with their last meeting resulting in a 34-31 victory for the Dolphins on November 8, 2020.

Last week, the Cardinals secured a narrow victory against the Chargers, winning 17-15, while the Dolphins fell to the Colts 16-10. Analyzing both teams’ offensive performance, the Cardinals are ranked 15th overall, 5th in rushing, and 25th in passing, while scoring is 19th. On the other hand, the Dolphins rank 22nd in offense, with an 11th-place rushing attack but struggle significantly in passing, sitting at 27th, and their scoring is last in the league at 32nd.

Defensively, the Cardinals find themselves tied for 27th overall, ranked 26th against both the rush and the pass while allowing 24 points per game. In contrast, the Dolphins boast the 4th-ranked defense overall. However, they struggle against the run, ranked 17th, and allow an average of 14 points per game, which is indicative of their defensive capabilities.

Key Players to Watch

For the Cardinals, running back James Conner is a standout player, having performed exceptionally well in the recent game against the Chargers, rushing for 101 yards and catching two passes for an additional 51 yards. Known for his hard-hitting style, Conner’s impactful performances often correlate with the team’s success.

On the other side, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is anticipated to return, making his first start since Week 2 due to a concussion. Despite having missed multiple games this season, he leads Miami quarterbacks with 483 yards, completing 64.5% of his passes, along with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The Dolphins are optimistic that his comeback will rejuvenate their struggling offense, which is currently averaging an alarming 11.7 points per game, the lowest in the league.

Critical Matchup

The duel between James Conner and the Dolphins’ run defense stands out as a crucial element in the upcoming game. Kyler Murray has notably referred to Conner as a “safety valve,” emphasizing his importance in the offensive lineup. Conner ranks 6th in the league with 504 rushing yards and has helped the Cardinals achieve team rushing outputs exceeding 150 yards in three of their last five contests. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have a vulnerability in their defense against the run, giving up 130.7 rushing yards per game. Notably, the Dolphins have yet to secure a win against top-ten rushing offenses since the previous season, holding an 0-5 record in those matchups.

Injury Reports

Injuries may play a significant role in the game, as the Dolphins are dealing with multiple absences, including backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who is unlikely to play due to a shoulder injury. Starting safety Jevon Holland is also questionable due to a hand injury, and cornerback Kader Kohou missed Wednesday’s practice with a neck issue. Meanwhile, on the Cardinals’ side, linebacker Dennis Gardeck has been ruled out for the season following an ACL tear, adding to the list of prominent defensive players unavailable for Arizona, including BJ Ojulari, Justin Jones, and Bilal Nichols. Defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting and defensive lineman Roy Lopez are also on the injury list, and rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson might be making his debut after recovering from a calf injury.

Series History and Additional Stats

The historical context of this matchup shows that the home team has come out on top in three of the last four encounters, with a majority of those games decided by a mere four points or fewer. In the previous encounter in 2020, Tagovailoa had an impressive outing, completing 20 of 28 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.

As for current statistics, the Cardinals aim for consecutive wins for the first time since 2021. Their offensive line has shown strength this season, allowing only 11 sacks, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Quarterback Kyler Murray has managed to lead 12 game-winning drives throughout his career, including last week’s crucial drive against the Chargers. Meanwhile, the Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell is returning to play against his former team, having spent the first nine years of his NFL career with the Cardinals.

Fantasy Considerations

For fantasy football enthusiasts, wide receiver Tyreek Hill is a player to keep an eye on despite his recent lack of production. He confidently stated to his fantasy owners to consider starting him again, especially with Tagovailoa’s potential return. Coach Mike McDaniel has acknowledged the need to increase Hill’s involvement in the offense, which may positively affect his performance on game day.

As both teams prepare for Sunday’s contest, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the outcomes unfold amidst the injuries and past performances that have shaped the current narrative of the season.