NFL media makes their picks, and final score predictions on the Dolphins vs. Cardinals.
The return of the Tribal Chief, Tua Tagovailoa, is finally upon us and has lit a fire under the organization and fans alike.
Miami Dolphins fans can now sport their team attire with pride and sit up in their seats instead of slouched back while watching Dolphins games.
The Dolphins will come into Sunday’s contest with high expectations of winning and making a run over the next stretch of games. The Dolphins will open their game against the Arizona Cardinals at (-4.5) and look to put together their first competent game on offense since the first game of the season.
Opening week wasn’t a fireworks show, but it feels like the Disney fireworks show compared to the firecrackers and bottle rockets displayed in the last four games. They’ll be up against an Arizona defense that’s near the bottom of the league in opponent completion percentage, opponent yards per pass, opponent yards per game, and opponent points per game. If there was a defense for Tagovailoa to get his sea legs in, this is the one.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, will look to build off of their 17-15 upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers and get to .500.
Kyler Murray will also look to avenge his loss to Tagovailoa from the one time they faced off in 2020. Four years ago seems long, but fans to this day point to their matchup as Tagovialoa’s coming out party.
The Dolphins and Cardinals both view this game as a must-win and a loss could send either team’s hope of a playoff spot into the woodchipper.
Let’s see what the media predicts in this tough 1:00 matchup:
ESPN:
- Kalyn Kahler – Cardinals 24, Dolphins 21
- Eric Moody – Dolphins 27, Cardinals 21
- Seth Walder – Cardinals 34, Dolphins 31
NFL.com:
- Ali Bhanpuri – Dolphins 24, Cardinals 21
- Brooke Cerosimo – Dolphins 33, Cardinals 21
- Dan Parr – Cardinals 23, Dolphins 21
- Gennaro Filice – Dolphins 27, Cardinals 23
- Tom Blair – Cardinals 24, Dolphins 21
ProFootballTalk:
- Mike Florio – Dolphins 30, Cardinals 24
- Chris Simms – Dolphins 24, Cardinals 21
Bleacher Report:
- Brad Gagnon – Cardinals
- Kris Knox – Dolphins
- Gary Davenport – Dolphins
- Brent Sobleski – Dolphins
- Maurice Moton – Dolphins
- Wes O’Donnell – Dolphins
- Ian Hanford – Dolphins
- Vincent Michelino: Cardinals
- Consensus prediction – Dolphins 30, Cardinals 20
CBS:
- Pete Prisco – Dolphins 29, Cardinals 15
- Will Brinson – Dolphins
- Jared Dubin – Dolphins
- Ryan Wilson – Cardinals
- John Breech – Dolphins
- Tyler Sullivan – Dolphins
- Dave Richard – Dolphins
- Jamey Eisenberg – Dolphins
USA Today:
- Tyler Dragon – Dolphins 25, Colts 20
- Lorenzo Reyes – Dolphins 25, Cardinals 24
- Jarrett Bell – Cardinals 20, Dolphins 16
- Chris Bumbaca – Cardinals 21, Dolphins 20
Fox Sports:
- Data Skrive – Cardinals 27, Dolphins 13
I want to say there is a consensus here, but it’s pretty split.
The Dolphins, on one hand, have Tagovailoa back, but no one can say for sure how sharp he will be or if he could get hurt again. No one will wish that upon him, but viewers will hold their breath whenever Tagovailoa drops back or takes off running. He needs to make it through this game as much as win it.
The Cardinals have gone through the gauntlet so far this year, and it doesn’t get any easier after Sunday. I want to say they’ve been inconsistent with their 3-4 record, but their strength of schedule might be at the top of the league, looking to this game as one of the more winnable ones.
They’ll need to pull out a win to have a shot at the playoffs. If not, it’s more than likely joever, and the same goes for the Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins band is back together, so it’s time to see this offense run like a top-notch symphony and make this game feel like music to Dolphins’ fan’s ears.
Let us know your prediction for the Miami Dolphins vs. Arizona Cardinals game.
