CARDINALS (5-6-1) VS. DOLPHINS (7-5)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, HARD ROCK STADIUM, MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 713
Announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Holly Sonders
About the Cardinals: Too little, too late? The Cardinals finally looked like a contender Sunday, but it’s a long shot that Arizona will get back to the postseason — much less play in another NFC Championship Game. QB
finally is playing his game, but his return to form might not have come soon enough. Arizona still has plenty of star power, and the guys who make the big bucks are doing their part to keep the Cardinals alive. CB
had a game-saving interception Sunday, and WR moved up to third in all-time receptions (1,106). Not having S for stretches has hurt a defense that has allowed four opponents to score 30-plus points.
About the Dolphins: Miami’s ascension to playoff contender was sidetracked Sunday in a loss at the Baltimore Ravens, and the Dolphins hope their home field can help them resume their recent climb. Miami has won five of six home games this season, including its last four, and will be out to prove that the disaster in Baltimore was an aberration — the Ravens’ big early lead resulted in workhorse RB getting only 12 carries. Slow starts have been a major concern lately for the Dolphins, and they can’t afford to give this Arizona team a jolt of confidence. This is the Dolphins’ last regular-season game against a non-AFC East opponent, and there are no guarantees with two road games and a Week 17 date with the New England Patriots.
The Dolphins know Jones well from his Carson Palmer is coming off a threetouchdown pass performance.
days in New England, but he has never faced Tunsil, a prized rookie. Judging by Jones’ 31⁄ sacks in his last three games against Miami, he is likely to have the Dolphins’ attention.
While Arizona’s run defense has been serviceable this season, the Cardinals have given up eight rushing touchdowns in their last five games. Ajayi, who sits 92 yards from his first 1,000-yard season, has helped carry the Miami offense behind a
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
banged-up offensive line. When, or if, the Dolphins get C back from a hip injury, Ajayi could be even better.
Cardinals’ record this season in games played in the eastern part of the country. All three were double-digit losses — at Buffalo, Carolina and Atlanta. Throw in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Panthers in February, and Arizona has been outscored by an average of 19.5 points per game in its last four flights over the Mississippi River.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Pro Bowl runners-in-waiting. Ajayi and Cardinals RB David Johnson are having breakout seasons and could be big factors in the offensive success of both teams even though the defenses are going to be keyed in on stopping the ground game.
The Dolphins defense had been solid before getting thrashed by the Ravens. The Cardinals have allowed 28.2 points per game over the last five weeks but also have held three different opponents to single digits. It’s hard to say whether this game will result in a score of 9-6 … or 41-38.
Injuries have prevented the Dolphins from developing much stability on their offensive line, and the Cardinals will try to take advantage of that. Arizona likes to use aggressive blitz schemes, but if Mathieu is watching from the sideline again, the Cardinals might be susceptible to big plays if the blitzers don’t get home.
Scott Johnson