TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals can do something they haven’t done in almost three years in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins:
Win consecutive matches.
Dating back to October 2021, the Cardinals have failed to string together consecutive victories. The chances of achieving this feat have been rare given Arizona’s struggles over the past three seasons.
But against a Dolphins team that has struggled seven weeks later, the prospects look better than ever for the Cardinals to finally begin to rack up successful performances under head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Or is this all just fool’s gold?
At a glance, Miami is 2-5 and has been abysmal offensively behind a league-worst 11.7 points per game. The Dolphins are averaging just 179.5 yards through the air and have only put up 20 points once this season.
A glaring reason for that is the absence of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has been out since Week 3 with a concussion.
Now free from concussion protocol, Tagovailoa’s return in Week 8 gives Miami an immediate boost on the side of the ball it needs most.
Leading the league in passing yards with 4,624 completions, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on 69.3% throwing just a year ago, Tagovailoa was one of the key figureheads of a attack concocted by head coach Mike McDaniel that ended up pacing the NFL.
“(It’s a) very good processor, very precise,” Gannon said Wednesday. “The ball comes out of his hand extremely quickly, on time and with precision.
“He knows where to go with the ball. You can’t confuse him. He does a really good job. He is a premium player.
And if there’s anyone who benefits more from Tagovailoa’s return, it’s star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
The reigning wide receiver leader has been pedestrian at best with Tagovailoa sidelined, catching 14 balls (24 targets) for 140 yards and no touchdowns over the last four games.
With Tagovailoa back, Hill gets back into the 13 touchdowns and 1,799 yards he reached last year.
For a Cardinals defense even more starters with Dennis Gardeck (torn ACL), Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) and Roy Lopez (ankle) out, it will take a village to keep Tagovailoa and Hill in check for four quarters.
Arizona Cardinals CB Max Melton, LB Owen Pappoe and OL Kelvin Beachum were all participating in the open portion of Friday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/pt7FyEGNmn
-Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 25, 2024
One name to watch as Arizona works to limit the pair is rookie Max Melton. With Murphy-Bunting out, the second-round pick should see even more playing time alongside Starling Thomas V and Garrett Williams.
Sometimes, though, a good defense is a methodical offense.
It’s ultimately up to Arizona’s defenders to keep Miami’s offense at bay. That’s not to say the Cardinals offense can’t lend a hand in the time of possession battle.
Limit the amount of time the ball is in Tagovailoa’s hands, limit the number of chances he has to beat you.
And the best way to do that offensively happens to be the primary weak spot in Miami’s defense.
While the Dolphins lead the league, allowing 154.5 yards per game, the run defense has been beaten behind nine touchdowns allowed. That’s tied for third in the NFL.
This should have James Conner and Arizona’s top-10 offense salivating.
Despite the offensive line’s continued shuffling due to injury, Conner went to town with the Los Angeles Chargers last week for 101 yards on 19 carries. He also caught two passes, one of which gave the Cardinals a late victory, 51 yards.
This kind of performance – plus a trip or two to the end zone – needs to happen in Miami.
Getting a similar performance from quarterback Kyler Murray, who had 64 yards and scores on six rushing attempts last week, wouldn’t hurt either.
