NFL games usually follow a script, right? The quarterback returns from injury, the home crowd erupts, and the team rallies for a season-saving win. That was the plan for the Arizona Cardinals vs Miami Dolphins showdown on October 27, 2024. Tua Tagovailoa was back under center after a month-long absence due to a concussion. The atmosphere in Miami Gardens felt electric, almost like a playoff game in October.
But Kyler Murray didn’t get the memo.
Arizona walked into Hard Rock Stadium and snatched a 28-27 victory right as the clock hit zero. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. The Cardinals proved they could be the explosive, high-octane offense fans had been promised since Jonathan Gannon took over.
The Tua Return and the Momentum Shift
Honestly, Miami looked like a different team with Tua back. The offense, which had been basically stuck in mud for weeks, finally found some rhythm. They marched 64 yards on their opening drive, capped off by a Raheem Mostert one-yard plunge. Mostert actually had a great day, finding the end zone twice, which was his first multi-score game in nearly a year.
By the middle of the third quarter, the Dolphins held a 20-10 lead. Everything seemed to be going according to plan for Mike McDaniel’s squad. De'Von Achane was slicing through the Arizona defense, finishing the day with 147 total yards.
Then, the weirdness started. It’s the NFL, so things always get weird.
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A fumbled snap deep in Miami territory resulted in a safety. Tua tried to recover it, but the ball bounced out of the end zone. That’s two points for Arizona and, more importantly, the ball back. You've got to wonder if that single mistake was the literal turning point of the entire season for the Dolphins.
Kyler Murray and the Rookie Connection
While Tua was the story pre-game, Kyler Murray was the story by the end of it. He finished 26-of-36 for 307 yards. It was his first 300-yard passing game in almost two years. He looked comfortable, decisive, and—most importantly—dangerous.
The connection with Marvin Harrison Jr. finally looked like the real deal. Harrison hauled in six catches for 111 yards. One of those was a spectacular 22-yard touchdown where he showed exactly why he was the fourth overall pick. He was snagging balls with his fingertips and diving for third-down conversions like a seasoned vet.
Trey McBride was also a monster. He caught nine passes for 124 yards. Between Harrison and McBride, the Dolphins' top-ranked pass defense just couldn't find an answer.
The Final Drive of Arizona Cardinals vs Miami Dolphins
The fourth quarter was a pure shootout. Mostert scored his second touchdown to put Miami up 27-18, but the Cardinals just wouldn't quit. James Conner, who struggled to find running lanes most of the day (finishing with only 53 yards on 20 carries), punched in a two-yard score to bring it within two.
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After the Arizona defense forced a huge punt, Murray got the ball back with five minutes left.
This was a clinic.
They went 71 yards in 13 plays. Murray used his legs when he had to, converting a crucial third-and-4 with a seven-yard scamper. He bled the clock dry. By the time Chad Ryland stepped onto the field for a 34-yard field goal, there was no time left for a Miami miracle. Ryland nailed it. Game over. 28-27 Cardinals.
Hard Numbers and Reality Checks
If you look at the box score of this Arizona Cardinals vs Miami Dolphins matchup, the stats are surprisingly close. Arizona had 389 total yards to Miami's 377. Both teams were efficient on third down. Neither team turned the ball over via interception.
- Kyler Murray: 307 passing yards, 2 TDs, 116.1 rating.
- Tua Tagovailoa: 234 passing yards, 1 TD, 97.1 rating.
- Marvin Harrison Jr.: 111 receiving yards, 1 TD.
- De'Von Achane: 97 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, 1 TD.
The real difference was the "clutch" factor. Arizona scored 10 unanswered points in the final nine minutes. Miami's offense, despite having Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, went cold when it mattered most. Hill and Waddle were essentially non-factors for long stretches, which Budda Baker later attributed to a defensive scheme specifically designed to take "10 and 17" out of the game. Baker himself was everywhere, finishing with 12 tackles.
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What This Means for Both Franchises
For Arizona, this win was part of a mid-season surge that saw them stay relevant in a chaotic NFC West. It proved that when Murray, Harrison, and McBride are clicking, they can beat anyone. They played a clean game with zero turnovers against a very good defense.
For Miami, it was a heartbreaking "what if." Tua played well enough to win, but the safety and the inability to get a stop on the final drive haunted them. It left them with a 2-5 record at the time, making the path to the playoffs a mountain that was simply too steep to climb.
Actionable Insights for Following These Teams:
- Watch the Harrison-Murray connection: If you're betting or playing fantasy, notice how Murray’s target share for Harrison Jr. spikes in the second half of games. They are a "rhythm" duo.
- Monitor Arizona's D-Line health: In this game, they lost Naquan Jones to a thigh injury. Their defensive success often hinges on a "next man up" philosophy because they lack a superstar pass rusher.
- Dolphins' red zone efficiency: Pay attention to how often Miami settles for field goals. In this game, two Jason Sanders field goals (one from 53 yards and one from 25) kept them in it, but missed touchdowns in the first half were the difference.
- The Trey McBride Factor: McBride is no longer just a "promising" tight end; he is the focal point of the Cardinals' passing tree. He’s a must-watch for anyone analyzing defensive mismatches.
The 2024 meeting between these two wasn't just another Sunday on the calendar. It was a high-stakes chess match that effectively decided the trajectory of two seasons. Arizona found their identity; Miami found more questions.