In Tua Tagovailoa’s long-awaited return on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins held the lead until the last-second. But then a field goal gave the Arizona Cardinals a 28-27 win in the Week 8 matchup at Hard Rock Stadium.
With Tagovailoa back from injured reserve, the Dolphins anticipated turning around a lackluster season against a 3-4 Cardinals team that hjad traveled cross-country to play.
In the end, though, the Dolphins couldn’t finish the job, pushing their record to just 2-5. This makes qualifying for the playoffs highly improbable.
“No opponent that we play the rest of the year will give a s—,” coach Mike McDaniel said about the Dolphins’ situation. But Tagovailoa seemed optimistic nonetheless, telling reporters after the loss, that “there’s always time” to turn it around.
Tagovailoa being back in the lineup meant a completely revitalized Miami offense, final score notwithstanding. The Dolphins topped 200 passing yards, and the run game averaged over five yards per carry for the first time since the star quarterback’s injury in Week 2.
And Dolphins fans provided a fun moment from the stands early on, when Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down and then slid down safely. Massive applause rang out throughout Hard Rock Stadium, and the crowd joyously chanted his name, proud of him for protecting himself.
“I thought that was super cool,” Tagovailoa said the moment. “I think anyone would think that’s awesome.”
In the end, though, it was not enough to give them the much-needed victory. And one of the reasons why was because of the stellar play of Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray and the way he engineered the Cardinals’ passing offense.
Murray surpassed 300 yards and recorded two touchdowns to propel his team past the Dolphins and even their record at 4-4. Especially in the second half, he had 228 yards through the air to lead the comeback win, which placed the Cardinals in a tie for first-place in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
Tight end Trey McBride and rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. each had over 100 yards receiving, further developing into the primary threats for their star quarterback.
“One of the stronger games I’ve seen by a quarterback in Kyler Murray,” McDaniel said. “He made a lot of plays for them, and we can’t put ourselves in that situation as a team.”
Another big momentum shift that allowed the Cardinals to take control towards the end of the game was the mistakes by the Dolphins as a whole. A safety on a muffed snap in the middle of the third quarter gave the Cardinals points and another possession, as well.
After the offense stalled at midfield on Miami’s final drive, Murray led the Cardinals on the winning field-goal drive. Kicker Chad Ryland nailed the 34-yard field goal as time ran out.
From a depth and health standpoint, safety Jevon Holland suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return.
But some positives, aside from Tagovailoa’s effort, was the ground attack for the Dolphins. De’Von Achane totaled 147 all-purpose yards and caught a touchdown, as well. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert ran for two of his own touchdowns, as well.
Two other AFC East teams lost on Sunday, however, meaning the Dolphins are still in second place, behind the Buffalo Bills (6-2). Those two teams will play each other Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y.
