Don't look now, but the Miami Dolphins are 4-3 and looking like a playoff contender as they take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9 of NFL action on Sunday.
The Tua Tagovailoa era in Miami began with a win against the Rams last week, but NFL odds have the Dolphins installed as 4.5-point underdogs against a Cardinals team that's 5-2 and fresh off handing the Seahawks their first loss of the season.
We break down the football odds with our best free Dolphins vs. Cardinals picks and predictions for Sunday, November 8, with kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals betting preview
Weather
It's expected to be a clear evening at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona with temperatures in the low-60s and winds reaching up to 11.5 miles per hour. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Dolphins: Matt Breida RB (Out), Myles Gaskin RB (Out), Davon Godchaux DT (Out), Vince Biegel LB (Out).
Cardinals: Kenyan Drake RB (Out), JR Sweezy G (Out), Chandler Jones LB (Out), Robert Alford CB (Out), Marcus Gilbert T (Out), Dre Kirkpatrick CB (Out), Ezekiel Turner LB (Questionable).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Cardinals are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Find more NFL betting trends for Dolphins vs. Cardinals.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
The Dolphins are coming off a 28-17 victory over the Rams, but they generated just 145 total yards and controlled the ball for only 23:31 in that contest. The Cardinals played much better in their victory over Seattle, piling up 519 yards against a previously-unbeaten team.
After being the worst team in the league just two years ago, Arizona has rebuilt in a hurry thanks to 2019 first overall draft pick Kyler Murray, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and offseason acquisition DeAndre Hopkins.
Murray leads an offense that averages a league-high 419.1 yards per game, while Arizona's much-improved stop-unit is second in the NFL in red-zone defense and holds opponents to 20.9 points per game.
The Fins might have eked out a win thanks to their defense and special teams last week, but they average just 324.4 yards of offense per game and won't be able to keep up with Arizona's explosive attack on Sunday. Take the Cards to win and cover.
PREDICTION: Arizona -4 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
If you told me back in August that the Dolphins would be allowing the fewest points in the league at this point of the season, I would have staged an intervention. But three months later, the Fins are surrendering a league-best 18.6 points per game.
Going with Tua at QB was a sound long-term decision, but Miami's offense was clearly better under Ryan Fitzpatrick and it wasn't great, even with Fitzmagic. In addition, Miami will be without their top running back for a few weeks after putting Myles Gaskin on the IR with an MCL sprain.
The Cardinals may have allowed 34 points in Week 7, but that was against Russell Wilson and Seattle. They should have a much easier time this week, especially with their defense having the seventh-best third-down conversion percentage and the Dolphins offense having the league's fourth-worst third-down conversion rate.
Despite the Cardinals' ability to light up the scoreboard, they've gone 6-1 to the Under this season while the Dolphins have cashed the Under in four of their last five games. Take the Under again.
PREDICTION: Under 48.5 (-110)
Player Prop
Tua might have gotten the win last week but he was far from impressive, completing 12 of 22 passes for a paltry 93 yards. The future might be bright for the former Alabama superstar, but the present doesn't look great, especially with the mediocre targets he has at his disposal in Miami.
The Cardinals pass defense has improved by leaps and bounds from last year, currently ranked 10th in the league in opponent passer rating and ninth in yards allowed per pass attempt. Fade Tua on his passing yards prop.
PREDICTION: Tua Tagovailoa Passing yards Under 229.5 (-120)
Dolphins vs Cardinals betting card
- Arizona -4 (-110)
- Under 48.5 (-110)
- Tua Tagovailoa Passing yards Under 229.5 (-120)
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