Miami Dolphins (2-4) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-4) Game Preview

After a sluggish 2-4 start to the season, the Miami Dolphins find themselves at a crucial crossroads as they prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Hard Rock Stadium this Sunday. The stakes are high for Miami, which, despite its rocky start, is still clawing for playoff positioning in the AFC. While both teams carry similar records into Week 8, the narrative around them couldn’t be more different. The Dolphins, hopeful for a boost from their franchise quarterback’s return, are listed as four-point favorites, but they’ll face a feisty Cardinals squad that’s shown flashes of resilience amid their rebuild.

Tua’s Triumphant Return?

The biggest storyline of the week undoubtedly centers on the return of Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ star quarterback, who has been sidelined for four weeks due to a concussion suffered in Week 2. His absence has been deeply felt on the field, as Miami’s offense has struggled mightily without him, averaging fewer than 20 points in each game. Tua’s return brings hope that he’ll be the catalyst for Miami’s stalled offense. Head coach Mike McDaniel is optimistic, noting that Tua’s processing speed and accuracy are game-changers for the team. When he’s on the field, the offense can operate at a different level.

Still, Tua’s health will be closely watched, with fans and coaches alike holding their breath on every hit. His track record of concussions casts a shadow, adding pressure on him to deliver an impactful, yet safe, performance against Arizona. Despite his extended time on the sidelines, Tua has reportedly stayed engaged in team meetings and workouts, suggesting he’s as mentally prepared as he is physically cleared.

Series History and Last Meeting

This will be just the 14th all-time matchup between the Dolphins and Cardinals, with Miami leading the series 10-3. Their last encounter came in the pandemic-altered 2020 season, a game that saw Miami edge out Arizona 34-31. Tagovailoa and Arizona’s Kyler Murray both had remarkable performances, with Murray setting a career-high for rushing yards by a quarterback with 106. Arizona kicker Zane Gonzalez missed a 49-yard field goal that could’ve extended the game in overtime, sealing the Dolphins’ win.

Coaching Clash: McDaniel vs. Gannon

This will be a battle of young head coaches, with Mike McDaniel leading the Dolphins and Jonathan Gannon, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Eagles, now at the helm of the Cardinals. Gannon has already faced off against other coaches in the Mike Shanahan coaching tree this season, notching victories against Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan but falling to Matt LaFleur. For McDaniel, this game represents an opportunity to steer Miami back on track by unleashing his creative offensive schemes, with Tua as his field general once again.

The two coaches have never gone head-to-head, but their contrasting styles make for an intriguing chess match. McDaniel’s innovative offense, when operating at full capacity, is one of the league’s most dynamic, while Gannon’s Cardinals have shown flashes of solid defensive schemes, despite struggles with consistency.

The Cardinals’ Ups and Downs

Under Gannon’s leadership, the Cardinals remain a young and inconsistent team. Despite the growing pains, they’ve managed to put together a few impressive wins, including a last-minute 17-15 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. However, inconsistency remains Arizona’s Achilles’ heel — they haven’t won consecutive games since 2021. Kyler Murray, now fully recovered from last year’s ACL injury, has shown moments of brilliance but hasn’t yet found his rhythm, especially in the passing game. The offense has sputtered, averaging just over 18 points per game, and Arizona’s defense has struggled, ranking 27th in total yards allowed.

Still, with talents like Murray and running back James Conner, Arizona can never be counted out. Conner’s physical style and ability to control the clock could be especially important against a Dolphins defense that has had its own ups and downs this season.

Why the Dolphins Will Win

The odds are in Miami’s favor this week for several reasons. First and foremost, Tua’s return should reinvigorate an offense that has been unable to find the end zone consistently. Against an Arizona defense that has struggled to contain passing attacks (currently allowing 329 yards per game through the air), Tua’s presence could be the spark Miami needs. If he can establish early rhythm with receivers like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins have the weapons to exploit Arizona’s secondary.

On the defensive side, Miami has an opportunity to limit the Cardinals’ offensive output. With Arizona scoring fewer than 17 points in four of their past five games, Miami’s defense — while not without its own flaws — should have a reasonable chance to hold strong against Arizona’s inconsistent offense.

Why the Dolphins Might Struggle

It’s worth noting that Miami’s defense will be missing key contributor Zach Sieler, who suffered a freak eye injury in practice this week. Sieler has been a force in the trenches, and his absence could create vulnerabilities against Arizona’s run game. This is especially concerning given that the Cardinals will likely rely heavily on Conner to establish an early ground game and control the clock.

Another risk is Tua himself. Returning from a multi-week layoff, he may be a bit rusty, and there’s always the danger of him trying to do too much in his comeback game. Turnovers, especially early on, could give Arizona momentum and put the Dolphins on their heels.

Final Prediction: Dolphins 27, Cardinals 17

The Dolphins come into this game with their season teetering on the brink, and Tua Tagovailoa’s return is expected to have a profound impact on Miami’s overall energy and execution. While Arizona is a scrappy, determined team, they don’t pose the same kind of threat that other teams do, especially with their ongoing struggles in consistency. If the Dolphins can capitalize on the Cardinals’ defensive gaps and keep Murray contained, Miami has a prime opportunity to right the ship in front of their home crowd.

Ultimately, the return of Miami’s franchise quarterback should be enough to lift them over a Cardinals team that’s still finding its way. A victory here would give Miami renewed hope in a crowded AFC, while a loss would lead to tough questions about the Dolphins’ potential in 2024.