**MIAMI DOLPHINS VS ARIZONA CARDINALS - WEEK 14**
The desperate Cardinals fly into Miami and wonder if they can pick up their first east-coast win of the year..and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
THE INTANGIBLES TO KNOW ABOUT THIS WEEK:
* Three of the last four MIA/AZ matchups were determined by 3 points or fewer
* AZ has won the last 3 matchups, even though MIA owns AZ 8-3 overall.
* AZ stil hasn't won on the east coast yet this year.. they are "O-fer"..
* This is AZ's first visit to Miami since 2004
* The Dolphins have given up 500 yards in back to back games the past two weeks; this hasn't happened for MIA since Dan Marino was playing QB.
* And last week, the Dolphins gave up 500 yards to the "juggernaut" Ravens on offense..
* The Dolphins will most likely be starting 3 backup linebackers this Sunday.
* And not surprisingly, the Dolphins are 30th ranked run defense this year.. hello David Johnson FF owners! Just in time for the FF playoffs..
* What's the difference between AZ's win on Sunday vs the other losses they had this year? To quote Carson Palmer, the Cardinals made plays at critical times. In other words, I'm still seeing enough mental errors to create losses..
* Dolphins have only had one win against this year against a team with a winning record
* The wins against the other teams? Combined record of 19 and 52
* CB Patrick Peterson returns to his hometown; I'd be surprised if the WR he was covering has a good day defensively..
* On the flip side, MIA has CB Byron Maxwell..the self-proclaimed "I'm the best" NFL cornerback.. Hmm... where did I hear that name before...
* Oh yes.. he is one of the "Legion of Boom" rejects. Michael Floyd always ripped him a new one every time they played (when Palmer was at QB). Over/under for defensive penalty calls against Maxwell is 3..
* Maybe I'm being a little hard on AZ OG Ulrich John. The guy can run block out in the open.. but pass blocking.. eh...
* On the flip side, if AZ doesn't double team Suh, Palmer is going to be in for a LONGGGGG day..
* Under the radar: Calais Campbell has been creating havoc in the backfield lately.. and he's returning back to his roots as a UofM alum..
* The last time Ryan Tannehill played against AZ, he was a rookie - and he lit up AZ for over 400 yards in the air..but lost in OT 24-21.
* Remember the name: Bobby McCain - the guy who has to cover Larry Fitz. Let's all say a prayer for Bobby, as he was picked on by the Rams.
* Looks like the "Honey Badger" is out of commission; he is good, but very injury prone.. think Troy Palomalu..
* I knows Carson Palmer has been criticized heavily this year, but the fact is he had a very good game last week.. 300 yds + 3TDs. Speaking of him..
* That long ball to JJ Nelson late in the game was an absolute beauty. In addition..
* I almost get that feeling that the Cardinals are getting back to that "just let it rip" attitude again on offense, which was seen last year. Again.."almost"..
* Late in WAS/AZ game, Arians went for 4th and 1 late in the game on their 30-something yd line being up 24-23 w/ 3:41 left in the game. Some people might have said Arians had big balls, but in reality..
* If AZ didn't convert, WAS would be in FG range. The rationale is either 1) WAS gets held to a FG, and AZ still gets the ball back with a chance to win. 2) WAS scores a TD, and and at worst WAS is up by 7, with AZ still getting a shot to score.
* ooh, look! AZ's punter, Drew Butler, still blows. And so does their special teams..
OUTLOOK AND PREDICTION FOR WEEK 14:
The Cards are motivated, but are they good enough to win while shooting at their own foot? My guess is they're good enough to win, but not by much. However, the better bet is on the over since both teams have holes defensively, esp. in the secondaries.
PREDICTION #1: OVER 43.5 (3 UNITS)
PREDICTION #2: MIA +3 for -120 (1 UNIT)
Updated total for 2016/17 football season: 6-4 W/L record = +$1170.14. (Note: each unit theoretically reflects a $100 play)