2019 NFL Power Rankings: Dolphins stun Patriots
Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 24. team. 59. . 5-11
Recap: Brian Flores’ had split its last eight games after that 0-7 start and was hoping to go out in style by beating the Patriots in Foxborough for the first time since 2008. Veteran signal-caller Ryan Fitzpatrick has played pretty solid football in recent weeks and he and the team refused to be denied in this contest. The Dolphins did not turn over the football and the ageless performer threw for 320 yards by afternoon’s end. But he would save his best for last and with the ‘Fins trailing by our points in the fourth quarter. A 13-play, 75-yard drive was capped off by a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Gesicki with 24 seconds to play and Flores’ squad completed the upset.
Draft Talk: The club has three first-round picks and a pair of second-round selections four months from now. It’s going to be interesting to see what Flores and general manager Chris Grier do with those and the club’s numerous other choices. Will the Dolphins be wheelers and dealers throughout the offseason and the week of the draft?
Offseason Priorities: Staying the course under Flores is essential. In his first season with the club, you could be a change in the overall mentality of the team and there was steady improvement made as the year unfolded. The Dolphins also need to decide if two-year pro Josh Rosen is the franchise’s quarterback of the immediate future.
5-10-1. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 23. team. 32.
Recap: The Cardinals were coming off an impressive upset of the playoff-bound Seahawks at Seattle. Now Kliff Kingsbury’s squad looked to slay a Rams’ team that has overwhelmed them in each of the club’s last five meetings. Arizona was far more competitive this time around but it still added up to another loss to Sean McVay’s squad. It also marked the sixth straight time the Cards allowed at least 30 points to this NFCC West rival. Kyler Murray picked a bad day to lose his first two fumbles of the season. He threw for 325 yards and two scores but was picked off twice and committed a total of four turnovers. Vance Joseph’s defensive unit was burned for 424 total yards.
Draft Talk: The Arizona offense made progress as the year unfolded. But general manager Steve Keim has to find someone opposite Chandler Jones to pressure the passer as well as more team speed on the inside. The Cardinals allowed a whopping 38 TD passes in 16 games, this despite a pass rush that produced a respectable 40 sacks.
Offseason Priorities: A year ago, the franchise worked to revamp the league’s worst offense and definitive strides were made. In 2020, the club must address a defensive unit that was far too generous, especially when it came to the pass and in particular covering tight ends and running backs. Inside linebacker may be priority number one.
Next: Nos. 22 and 21