Dolphins (4-3) at Cardinals (5-2)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Cardinals by 41⁄
2
Dolphins’ keys to victory: Miami somehow got a win over the Rams in Week 8 despite managing only 145 yards and eight first downs on offense and allowing 471 yards to Los Angeles. The Dolphins can’t expect to beat the Cardinals with a similar performance. Rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa will have to do more than when he threw for 93 yards on 22 attempts in his first career start. The defense took the ball away from the Rams four times and will need more of that.
Cardinals’ keys to victory: Arizona has won three in a row, and the formula has been successful: protect the football, score points, stop opponents on third down, get pressure on the quarterback and be good in the red zone. The Cardinals benefit from coming off their bye week and now having had a game of film on Tagovailoa. The Cardinals should be able to run the ball with RB Chase Edmonds, and QB Kyler Murray should be able to attack Miami with his legs and his arm. A week ago, the Rams’ top two receivers combined for 18 receptions and 195 yards.
Matchup to watch: Dolphins CB Xavien Howard vs. Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins entered Week 8 leading the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards. Howard has four interceptions. It is one of the best cornerbacks in the game facing arguably the best receiver in the league this season.
Who wins? The Cardinals will be able to move the ball the way the Rams did but won’t turn the ball over. Arizona will make things tough for Tagovailoa again and win fairly easily.
Cardinals 34-17