Arizona Central News • Week 1 - Season 72 • Cards make Dolphins Offense MIA

by nathan.lejeune | 7 years ago | 0 Comments

Season 72 opens up for the Arizona Cardinals with the team hitting the road to face one of the many playoff teams which they will face this season - the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are coming off a nice playoff run which ended in heartbreak while the Cards are rebuilding after a rough season. Two QBs with something to prove and two teams still trying to find their way to the big game. 

Offense

The Cardinals offense was revamped this offseason as the WR corps turned to a youth movement. #1 pick (6th overall) WR T.Forbes came into this team looking to make an impact. The young WR had 6 catches in his first game, which included a big third down conversion late in the game (pictured below).

K.Marshall would have 89 yards and a TD (pictured below) on 17 carries. The young RB was able to show patience and nice holes against a very tough Dolphins defense. Marshall was able to help the Cardinals become balanced and eat clock late in the game when the Dolphins made this close. Marhsall also had a 20+ touchdown run called back due to a holding call. 

B.Osweiler had over 200 yards and a TD to go with one INT on the day. Brock made some nice throws and really was just swarmed by a tough Dolphins pass rush. His one TD came to D.Spann (pictured below) which seen the big WR use his size to break through 2 tackles at the 2 yardline and get in the endzone to put this game out of reach late in the 4th quarter.

Defense

The Cardinals defense looked to get things turned around against two of the best WR in the league. P.Peterson tied as many INTs as he had last season in just one game wth 2. Peterson and all of the DBs really swarmed the Dolphins passing attack, which led to 4 INTs on the day.

A.Lynch (pictured below) was potentially the player of the game for the Cards, with 2 sacks and a big redzone interception of Bortles. The Cards defense also D.Parker under 35 yards and no TDs on the day.

The Cardinals defense also had 8 sacks on the day as they constantly harrassed Bortles all game. D.Dykes (pictured below) had one of those sacks late in the game to seal the victory. 

Final Thoughts

The Cardinals team played on of the most well rounded games. They were able to stick to their game plan and never paniced even when the Dolphins defense was swarming all on-comers. Marshall and Osweiller both played above average and the Cardinals defense was lights out from the opening kickoff. 

Next Week

The Cardinals will keep their AFC playoff onslaught going with the NE Patriots coming to Arizona for next weeks game.