The Arizona Cardinals were coming off of a bye week and were well-rested and ready to take on the Miami Dolphins. Earlier in the day, the Seattle Seahawks lost their second game, giving them a 6-2 record and a 1-1 divisional record. If the Arizona Cardinals pull out a win in Week 9, they will take the NFC West division lead.
First Half
The Dolphins received the kickoff first. After a quick three and out, the Cardinals’ offense was ready to take the field. After a few successful plays came one very unsuccessful one. Kyler Murray fumbled the ball, and the Miami Dolphins’ defense recovered and took it to the endzone for a defensive score. The extra point was good, and the Dolphins took a very early lead of 7-0.
The Arizona Cardinals needed to make up for the error on offense during their last drive. The Cardinals made a nice drive downfield, which resulted in a touchdown. A tied ball game of 7-7 through the middle of the first quarter. Late in the first quarter, the Miami Dolphins were able to make a play that brought the offense inside the 5-yard line, which resulted in their second touchdown of the day, giving them a 14-7 lead after the extra point.
Kyler Murray performs extremely well under pressure and looks great after an opponent scores. He knows that he cannot allow the opponent to take much of a lead. With that being said, Murray connected with Christain Kirk all the way to the house for Kirk’s 6th touchdown of the year. The Cardinals tied the game 14-14.
A game of back and forth for the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. After an incredible touchdown from Arizona, the Miami Dolphins made a long drive down the field for yet another touchdown, 21-14 now. It seemed as though both teams’ defenses were struggling in this game, and the offenses were really running things. On the Cardinals next drive, they were able to get the ball far enough down the field to kick a 37-yard field goal to cut the Dolphins lead a bit, 21-17.
With just three seconds left on the clock, the Miami Dolphins tried for a 56-yard field goal, and it was surprisingly successful. Going into halftime, Miami had a lead 24-17.
Second Half
The Arizona Cardinals received the second half kickoff and made the most out of that opportunity. Kyler Murray connected with Darrell Daniels for a 21-yard touchdown. With a good extra point from Zane Gonzalez, the Arizona Cardinals tied the score 24-24.
The next possession for the Dolphins was not successful, and the Cardinals offense was ready to take over again. The Cardinals were in a tough position on a 4th & 1, and Kingsbury decided to have his offense go for it, which paid off. Kyler Murray kept the ball for the first down. A few plays later, Murray kept the ball once again to run it into the endzone for an Arizona Cardinals touchdown. Another kick from Zane Gonzalez gives the Cardinals their first lead of the day, 31-24.
After a few rather boring drives, Tua Tagovailoa led his offense all the way to another Dolphins’ touchdown. Another good extra point gives the fans a tie game at 31-31. A tie game brought stress and panic to both teams. With about 3:30 left in the game on a 4th & 1 play, the Dolphins could kick a field goal or attempt the first down conversion. They opted for the points and made the field goal, giving them a 3-point lead of 34-31.
Kyler Murray is no stranger to 4th quarter comebacks and was ready to take the field. On the first play of the drive, Murray connected with Kirk for over a 30 yard gain, immediately putting the Cardinals within field goal range. On 4th & 1, Zane Gonzalez came on the field for a 49-yard field goal. The kick was no good, his first miss of the day, keeping the lead with Miami. After a few first downs from Miami, they were able to take a knee to call the game.
An unfortunate loss for the Arizona Cardinals, who were hoping to solidify first place in the division. Kyler Murray had an incredible game but was not backed up by the rest of his offense or his defense. Another home game for Arizona next week against the Buffalo Bills, which could be a difficult game for Kingsbury and the Cardinals. Cardinals fall to 5-3 for the season.
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