The Arizona Cardinals achieved a thrilling 28-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, thanks to Chad Ryland’s 34-yard field goal that sealed the game as time expired at Hard Rock Stadium.
This marks the Cardinals’ second consecutive win, following a close 17-15 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers last Monday night. Notably, this is the first time since 2021 that Arizona has secured back-to-back wins, breaking a 47-game stretch without that achievement.
Ryland, who has filled in for the injured Matt Prater, recorded his third game-winning field goal. He previously delivered victories against the 49ers and the Chargers.
During Sunday’s game-winning drive, the Cardinals faced a significant challenge when left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. was penalized for holding. However, they overcame this setback by converting a crucial third down, with quarterback Kyler Murray connecting with tight end Trey McBride for a 17-yard gain.
On second and 15 from their own 32, Murray connected with rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. for a vital 18-yard completion, pushing Arizona into Dolphins territory. Following that, running back James Conner added a strong 17-yard run, moving the ball further into Miami’s side.
With just seconds left and the Cardinals facing third and 4 at the Dolphins’ 27, Murray made a key decision to scramble. Although the Dolphins seemed to have him contained, he managed a 7-yard gain, allowing the Cardinals to set up Ryland for the game-winning field goal.
The victory improved the Cardinals’ record to 4-4, keeping them competitive in the NFC West as they prepare to host the Chicago Bears next Sunday. The Dolphins, in contrast, fell to 2-5 and will face the Bills next week.
Murray finished the game completing 26 of 36 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Conner had 20 rushes for 53 yards and a touchdown, while McBride led the receiving corps with nine catches for 124 yards. Harrison also contributed significantly with six receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.
The game featured several critical moments. The Cardinals managed to stay in contention with a 70-yard drive culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Conner. Key plays included two receptions to Harrison, one of which was a diving catch that was initially ruled incomplete but later overturned.
The Dolphins had controlled the lead with a strong performance from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who threw for 162 yards in the first half and orchestrated several scoring drives. Miami extended its lead to 27-12 thanks to a combination of precise passing and efficient rushing.
However, the Cardinals rallied, leveraging Murray’s composure and skillful plays to slowly chip away at the Dolphins’ advantage, setting the stage for Ryland’s dramatic kick.
In summary, this win marks a significant moment for the Cardinals, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure as they look forward to upcoming challenges in the season.