Cardinals at Dolphins: Highlights, score and recap

The Miami Dolphins nearly let a 21-9 lead turn into a loss on Sunday, but a 21-yard field goal by Andrew Franks as time expired gave them the win, 26-23.

The Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins were both playing to keep their playoff hopes alive on Sunday. The Dolphins were in control for the first three quarters of the game, before an injury to quarterback Ryan Tannehill took the wind out of their sails. After watching the Cardinals score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the game, the Dolphins engineered a late drive, winning the game on a field goal in driving rain.

On the final drive, the Dolphins got the ball with 1:29 left in the game, though in Arizona territory. On a first and ten with 0:43 second left, backup quarterback Matt Moore hit Kenny Stills for a 29-yard gain down to the one-yard line, setting up a 21-yard field goal by Andrew Franks for the game-winner. The win moved the Dolphins record to 8-5 on the season, while the Cardinals are likely eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

The loss of Tannehill should loom large for the Dolphins, as the young quarterback was playing well in recent weeks. Before going down with an injury, which is being reported as a torn ACL, Tannehill had thrown three touchdowns in the game. With him out, the team will now turn to Moore, who is one of the more experienced backups in the league.

For the Cardinals, it has been an up and down season, but they just never really got it going for an extended period of time. Quarterback Carson Palmer had been playing well as of late, but he had two costly interceptions in this one. They do have one of the better young running backs in football in David Johnson, so expect them back in the playoff hunt next season.

1. Ryan Tannehill

In a game that saw Tannehill throw for three beautiful touchdowns, the Miami Dolphins will likely say goodbye to their signal-caller for the rest of the season. Tannehill reportedly tore his ACL in the third quarter of the team’s win on Sunday, and will miss the rest of the season. That is a big blow for a Dolphins team that is a legitimate playoff contender this season.

The 28-year old Tannehill had thrown only one interception during the team’s six-game winning streak that was ended by the Baltimore Ravens last weekend. On Sunday, Tannehill hit Kenny Stills, Dion Sims, and Damien Williams for touchdowns, as he shook off a three-interception performance the week before. The team will now have to run with veteran Matt Moore as their quarterback the rest of the way, as they try to lock up a wildcard spot in the AFC.

2. Kenny Stills

Not only did Kenny Stills have a huge catch late in teh fourth quarter, but he was the best option for the Miami Dolphins quarterbacks on Sunday throughout the game. His big play came with 0:43 seconds left in the game, as backup quarterback Matt Moore hit him for a 29-yard gainer down to the one-yard line. That play set up the game winning field goal by Andrew Franks, sealing the Dolphins eighth win of the season.

Stills caught six balls for 97 yards in the game, trailing only Landry Jones in receiving yards for the Dolphins. His six catches were a team-high, and his 28-yard touchdown reception opened up the scoring for the Dolphins in the first quarter. The 24-year old has played much better in his second season with the team, and he now has one touchdown in three of his last five games.

3. David Johnson

David Johnson is one of the more impressive players in the NFL, and on Sunday, he was doing his best to carry the Cardinals on his back. Not only did he lead the team in rushing yards again, but he also tied Jermaine Gresham for the team-high in receptions. It was just another example of the young back showing the rest of the league that he is arguably the best in the business.

For Johnson, he failed to reach the end zone for the first time since Week 8, though it was not for lack of effort. He had 25 touches in the game, rushing for 80 yards to go along with his 41 receiving yards. At 24-years old, Johnson is the cornerstone of the future of the Cardinals organization, and he could be in line for his first MVP if he continues to produce through the final three games of the season.

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Odds

The Cardinals are a two-point road favorite, as the odds makers expect them to take care of business on the road. The over/under is set at 43.5, so this one has the potential to be a low-scoring game. However, we expect this game to be a wild one, so you may want to be the over.

Next Week

The Miami Dolphins have an AFC East matchup on tap in Week 15, as they travel north to play the New York Jets. Arizona will return home to take on the New Orleans Saints in an NFC matchup in the desert.