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The matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday isn’t getting much national publicity, but it could be a very intriguing game.
The Dolphins, with new quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, are 4-3 on the season and still in the AFC East and AFC playoff races.
The Cardinals, with Kyler Murray at quarterback, are 5-2 and in the NFC West and NFC playoff races.
Both teams could really use a victory during the Week 9 NFL game, set to kickoff at 2:25 p.m. on CBS from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Which team will get the victory?
Check out these Week 9 NFL picks and predictions for the Cardinals vs. Dolphins game.
Arizona is a 6-point favorite in the game.
More: NFL playoff picture: A new opponent for Arizona Cardinals
CBS Sports: Cardinals 27, Dolphins 23
John Breech writes: “Since Week 5 of last season, the Dolphins are 14-5 ATS, which is the best mark of any team in the NFL over that span. Of course, the next best team is the Cardinals, who are 12-5-2 ATS. The Cardinals are also 4-1 ATS in their past five games against AFC teams. This game marks the third time this season that the Cards have been favored by five or more points. In the previous two games, they went 2-0 both straight up and ATS. The fact that this game is being played in Arizona could be a good thing for the Dolphins, who are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 road games.”
Ryan Gosling writes: “The most anticipated rookie from last year faces off against the most anticipated rookie of this year when Tua Tagovailoa heads to Arizona to take on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Tua and the Dolphins are 4-3 on the year and are in the thick of the AFC East race. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are flying high after taking down the Seattle Seahawks. This one should be fun. Even though Miami was able to beat the Rams this past week, a lot of that had to do with the Rams playing poorly. I think Arizona will play hard, needing to continue to get wins to stay competitive in the NFC West. I don’t think Murray plays anywhere near as bad as Jared Goff did this week; Miami will be in for more of a challenge.”
Sporting News: Cardinals 27, Dolphins 24
Vinnie Iyer writes: “Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray last met in the 2018 Orange Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal game. Murray played well, passing and running for big numbers on Alabama’s defense. Tagovailoa outdueled him, however, with plenty of help from his NFL-bound backfield. Tagovailoa won his his starting debut for the Dolphins, but didn’t do much. Murray has done plenty with his arm and legs as a second-year first-overall pick to put the Cards in NFC playoff contention. Miami’s defense is playing well, but Murray is a much different challenge than the Rams’ Jared Goff, especially on the road against an offense coming of a bye. Arizona will test Tagovailoa with tough pressure packages, ultimately coming up with a big late sack to seal the game.”
MORE: NFL power rankings: Arizona Cardinals’ momentum builds entering Week 9 vs. Miami Dolphins
Sportsnaut: Cardinals 35, Dolphins 24
Vincent Frank writes: “The Josh Rosen Bowl? Yeah, not so much. Instead, Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be making his second consecutive start since replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. The No. 5 pick will be doing so with his Dolphins at 4-3 and looking to remain very much alive in the AFC East picture. The same thing can be said for second-year Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. He led Arizona to a dramatic Week 7 win over the Seattle Seahawks and is playing tremendous football. At 5-2 on the season, Arizona wants to keep pace with Seattle here. Expect it to take care of business.”
Fansided: Cardinals 31, Dolphins 17
Gil Alcaraz IV writes: “I don’t think anyone expected what we’ve seen from the Miami Dolphins so far in 2020. They’ve been an early surprise this season, pulling off some impressive wins on their way to 4-3. Unfortunately, the fun ends here in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. Here’s why: these offenses are not built alike. On one hand, you’ve got the Cardinals, who boast one of the best offenses in the NFL. Kyler Murray has been sensational in his second season, and having three outstanding receivers to throw to doesn’t hurt. On the other hand, the Dolphins have been hit-or-miss on the offensive end. Things were actually going well with Ryan Fitzpatrick running the show. However, when Tua Tagovailoa took over this past weekend, the offense stalled. If it wasn’t for their defense showing up against the Rams, chances are the Dolphins would currently be 3-4. In this one, Arizona wins largely because of their red-hot offense. Murray puts on a clinic as DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald make minced meat of the Miami secondary. Tagovailoa hits his first roadblock as the Cardinals’ pass rush pounds him into submission.”
Oliver Hodginkson writes: “Two teams on three-game win streaks. Two of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL in Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray. The Miami Dolphins taking on the Arizona Cardinals in the late afternoon slate could possibly be one of the most enticing contests of the entire Week 9 schedule. So, who comes out on top? For all the excitement of Tua’s debut, the Dolphins win over the Los Angeles Rams was a combination of defensive and special teams touchdowns and the Rams’ inability to convert their overwhelming time of possession and number of plays into points on the scoreboard. The Cardinals have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and their efficiency in the ground game – they led the NFL in rushing yards through Week 7 with the most rushing touchdowns in the league – could prove to be the decisive factor.”
Sporting News: Dolphins 28, Cardinals 24
Bill Bender writes: “Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray meet for the first time since the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, but this time it’s a matchup to stay in the playoff race. Miami is 4-2 S/U and ATS as an underdog this season, and they have given up 17 points or less in their last three wins. Their unexpected success against the NFC West continues.”
MORE: Adam Thielen, Ryan Kerrigan included in Arizona Cardinals’ NFL trade deadline speculation
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