Post by End Zone on Nov 3, 2020 13:33:56 GMT -7
The Game Day Thread is posted a few days early this week due to at-home demands. I will update GDT sections as necessary, locking text NLT Saturday morning, November 7th.
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Forum’s 8th Game Day thread of 2020. The Sunday afternoon Game Day Thread is dedicated to the Arizona Cardinals team of November 7, 2004.
Why that team and that date? The Arizona Cardinals made NFL history that day, squeaking by the Miami Dolphins, 24-23, at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL, and becoming the last NFL franchise since the AFL-NFL merger in 1966 to finally beat an opponent that always seemed to have the Cardinals number. Trailing 3-12 at halftime, and despite the Dolphins horrid 1-8 won-lost record, the Cardinals (also just 3-5 won-lost) still had no answers for the Dolphins defense and the legends of South Beach. However, even ghosts make mistakes. At 00:58 to go in the 1st quarter, the Dolphins scored on a 20-yard A.J. Fielder to Rob Konrad TD pass, but the extra point failed. Score was 3-9. A few minutes later, the Dolphins kicked a FG, stretching the score to 3-12, and things looked customarily grim for the Cardinals. Then, at 03:18 to go in the 3rd quarter, Arizona’s Duane Starks picked off an A.J. Feeley pass and ran back the INT for a TD. Neil Racker’s extra point kick was good and the score was 10-12. The Cardinals came alive after that freakish defensive play, and in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals dropped 17 more points on the shocked Dolphins. Most shocking perhaps was Larry Fitzgerald’s 2-yard TD pass from Josh McCown with just 19 seconds to go. Racker’s extra point kick was good, the final score was 24-23, and the NFL’s longest team v. team winning streak was ended. Other notable Cardinals scorers that day: HOF RB Emmitt Smith, 1 TD.
It would be unkind of me to not mention here that the 1972 Miami Dolphins are still the only NFL team to run the table and win the Super Bowl. A perfect season record, end to end, is hard to accomplish and impossible to beat. A perfect record can only be tied.
The Miami Dolphins franchise was established in 1966, when the AFL and NFL merged. The South Florida team has existed for 55 seasons, compiling a 461-374-4 record. The team’s playoff record is 20-21. The team won 2 Super Bowls and appeared in 5 Super Bowls. Some legendary Dolphin’s player and coach names include QB Dan Marino and 420 TDs, RB Larry Csonka and 53 TDs, WR Mark Duper and 59 TDs, and Head Coach Don Shula and 257-133-2 record. The Miami Dolphins last made the playoffs in 2016, also their last double-digit winning season (10). Current HC is Brian Flores, age 39. His team finished at 5-11 in 2019. HC Flores is in his second year as a HC, the same as ARZ’s Kliff Kingsbury. Brian broke into the NFL as a Scouting Assistant for the New England Patriots at the age of 23 in 2004. Brian has worked for only two NFL teams his entire NFL career: NE and then MIA.
Historical facts are always worth noting prior to an NFL game, primarily for fan’s bragging rights, but hardly means anything to the coaches and players. For the record, the Miami Dolphins lead the Arizona Cardinals head-to-head competition, 9-3-0. Sunday’s game will be only the 7th home game for the Cardinals v. the Dolphins in almost 50 years. From 1972-1999, the Dolphins always looked forward to playing the Cardinals, notching 8 wins in a row. The Cardinals took the next 3 games, 2004-2012, with that 2012 game ending in OT.
The two teams last played in a torrential rain downpour at Hard Rock Stadium on December 11, 2016. The Dolphins paddled away with a 26-23 win that soggy afternoon. Of note, the Cardinals ST failed on two extra point tries, costing 2 points right there; and later, the Cardinals Defense failed to stop the Dolphins on a 2-point conversion. Those 4 points were the difference between the Cardinals winning and losing that day.
The most head-to-head points scored by the Dolphins: 55 (1977). Fewest: 10 (2008). The most points scored by the Cardinals: 31 (2008). Fewest: 3 (1990). Total points scored: Dolphins 326, Cardinals 200 (The Cardinals puny 16.66 points per game v. the Dolphins 27.16 points per game is why there are just 3 wins for the Cardinals across 12 games.).
Now let’s focus on the current game that will be played at SFS on November 8th at 4:25p.m. ET. The Miami Dolphins (4-3) are visiting the Arizona Cardinals (5-2) for the first time since September 2012 and only the 3rd time since 1990! Miami Dolphins fans still in Arizona since 1990 are probably all dead and fossilized by now.
On paper, the game seems like a walk-off win for the Cardinals, currently listed by numerous sports sites as 5-point favorites (prior to the 2 Cardinals players being placed on COVID IR—then the sports sites removed the ‘give #’ and lines went blank). The Cardinals are rested and coming off a really good Bye week. The Offense is putting up 29.0 points per game (11th in the League) and Defense is holding teams to 20.9 points per game (1st in the League). The Cardinals are healthy, and the top playmakers and scorers should all be activated.
But, don’t be fooled. The Dolphins are 4-1 in their last 5 games. In the last 2 games, the Dolphins Defense yielded a stingy 15.5 points per game. When a ‘scoring’ Defense is clicking like that, the Offense only has to be okay—not good or great—to win. The Miami Dolphins will be a very good test for the Cardinals at the season mid-point. We’ll know by close of business on Sunday if the Cardinals are true playoff contenders.
The top question mark for the Dolphins is Quarterback. QB Tua Tagovailoa didn’t set the Hard Rock Stadium on fire last week with 12 of 22 completed and just 93 yards passing v. the LAR Defense. Still, Tua won his rookie debut game because the Dolphins Defense and ST controlled the pace and scoreboard -- THE MIA DEFENSE FORCED 4 LAR TURNOVERS IN THE 1ST HALF.
I must point out that the Dolphins Defense does give up significant yards per game, and exactly 471 versus QB Jared Goff and the potent LAR offense last week. The Cardinals also punched the Seattle Seahawks in the mouth for over 500 yards two weeks ago in that now famous “SNF shootout.” So, I expect the Cardinals to again run and pass all over the field versus the static Dolphins front seven.
The team stats (7 games): Points PG: Dolphins 26.9, Cardinals 29.0. Points Allowed PG: Dolphins 18.6, Cardinals 20.9. Total Yards PG: Dolphins 331.9, Cardinals 424.6. Yards Allowed PG: Dolphins 399.0, Cardinals 399.3.
The interesting stats (7 games): Dolphins beat the Jets 24-0, and 49ers 43-17, but lost to the Seahawks 31-23. Cardinals beat the Jets 31-10, the 49ers 24-20, and the Seahawks 37-34 (OT).
*PutMeIn’s BOTTOM LINE: The teams are much closer talent wise than the W/L records indicate. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa is the Dolphins Achilles Heel. And if FitzMagic replaces Tua for at least a quarter for any reason, all my bets are off on which team has the best shot at winning this contest.
Game over/under is 46 as of last Monday, and trending up to as much as 47.5 points on Election Day, November 3rd. I think that’s about 5 points to much, given the Cardinals’ tendency to start slow and their balanced scoring potential on Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. Officially, the Cardinals beat the Vegas spread 5-2 in 2020. The Cardinals and competition finished “under” the o/u in 6 of 7 games. FWIW, ESPN’s matchup predictor, which is based on its Football Power Index, has the Dolphins at 30.1% chance of winning, the Cardinals at 69.7% chance of winning, and a 0.2% chance of a tie. Because the Dolphins are 4-1 in their last 5 games, and surprised the LAR, many in the West are already complaining about “Trap Game.” We saw a TG happen versus the average Detroit Lions, an undervalued and un-feared team until the Cardinals Defense awoke too late to do anything about it.
The final Injury Report will pop on Sunday morning. So far at mid-week, the Cardinals are in great shape. On November 2nd, only Kenyan Drake was listed as OUT. The Dolphins listed Roberts (LB), Laird (RB), and Perry (CB) as questionable. No more COVID test data was released as of November 3rd. Two Cardinals were moved to COVID IR list on November 2nd: Devon Kennard (LB), and Byron Murphy (CB). Players can return from the COVID IR list after 10 days have passed since their initial test – if they are asymptomatic, or 5 days have passed since the initial positive test and they receive 2 consecutive negative PCR virus tests within a 5-day period.
Sunday afternoon weather at Glendale, AZ, on November 8th will be seasonably cool with kickoff temperature at 66F, partly cloudy skies, and low humidity. Roof may be open. A few more fans will be in attendance compared to the ridiculously low allowed head count at the Seattle Seahawks game two weeks ago. When will these state- and city-imposed public event attendance restrictions end? 2021? 2022?
Game kickoff is at 4:25 pm ET. Watch on CBS and NFL’s Red Zone. Listen to local AZ radio and mobile devices at Sirrus FM. The game could be broadcast nationally—CBS’s Sunday primetime schedule is not yet released as of November 3rd. State Farm Stadium at Glendale will have some fans and family members in attendance. I still expect piped-in crowd noise to enhance the fan’s game experience.
Carl Cheffers #51 will be the NFL Referee (White Hat) for the game. He is a highly respected official, working for the NFL since 2000 and as a Referee since 2008. He officiated at several unusual NFL games throughout his career—see YouTube, et al, for some famous calls. He referred Super Bowl LI in 2017, the only OT Super Bowl game, won by New England over Atlanta Falcons. His calls grade well among all officials—there are no big negatives in his record of officiating. When not making the hard calls on the football field, he’s the husband of Mrs. Cheffers and the father to two children. Referee Chefers is 60 years old.
Let’s all have a fun and entertaining game at our first home game of November at State Farm Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This is the great test game heading into the second half of the season. No major injuries to any players. Go Cardinals! Win #6. Keep pace with those danged soaring Seahawks.
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Forum’s 8th Game Day thread of 2020. The Sunday afternoon Game Day Thread is dedicated to the Arizona Cardinals team of November 7, 2004.
Why that team and that date? The Arizona Cardinals made NFL history that day, squeaking by the Miami Dolphins, 24-23, at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL, and becoming the last NFL franchise since the AFL-NFL merger in 1966 to finally beat an opponent that always seemed to have the Cardinals number. Trailing 3-12 at halftime, and despite the Dolphins horrid 1-8 won-lost record, the Cardinals (also just 3-5 won-lost) still had no answers for the Dolphins defense and the legends of South Beach. However, even ghosts make mistakes. At 00:58 to go in the 1st quarter, the Dolphins scored on a 20-yard A.J. Fielder to Rob Konrad TD pass, but the extra point failed. Score was 3-9. A few minutes later, the Dolphins kicked a FG, stretching the score to 3-12, and things looked customarily grim for the Cardinals. Then, at 03:18 to go in the 3rd quarter, Arizona’s Duane Starks picked off an A.J. Feeley pass and ran back the INT for a TD. Neil Racker’s extra point kick was good and the score was 10-12. The Cardinals came alive after that freakish defensive play, and in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals dropped 17 more points on the shocked Dolphins. Most shocking perhaps was Larry Fitzgerald’s 2-yard TD pass from Josh McCown with just 19 seconds to go. Racker’s extra point kick was good, the final score was 24-23, and the NFL’s longest team v. team winning streak was ended. Other notable Cardinals scorers that day: HOF RB Emmitt Smith, 1 TD.
It would be unkind of me to not mention here that the 1972 Miami Dolphins are still the only NFL team to run the table and win the Super Bowl. A perfect season record, end to end, is hard to accomplish and impossible to beat. A perfect record can only be tied.
The Miami Dolphins franchise was established in 1966, when the AFL and NFL merged. The South Florida team has existed for 55 seasons, compiling a 461-374-4 record. The team’s playoff record is 20-21. The team won 2 Super Bowls and appeared in 5 Super Bowls. Some legendary Dolphin’s player and coach names include QB Dan Marino and 420 TDs, RB Larry Csonka and 53 TDs, WR Mark Duper and 59 TDs, and Head Coach Don Shula and 257-133-2 record. The Miami Dolphins last made the playoffs in 2016, also their last double-digit winning season (10). Current HC is Brian Flores, age 39. His team finished at 5-11 in 2019. HC Flores is in his second year as a HC, the same as ARZ’s Kliff Kingsbury. Brian broke into the NFL as a Scouting Assistant for the New England Patriots at the age of 23 in 2004. Brian has worked for only two NFL teams his entire NFL career: NE and then MIA.
Historical facts are always worth noting prior to an NFL game, primarily for fan’s bragging rights, but hardly means anything to the coaches and players. For the record, the Miami Dolphins lead the Arizona Cardinals head-to-head competition, 9-3-0. Sunday’s game will be only the 7th home game for the Cardinals v. the Dolphins in almost 50 years. From 1972-1999, the Dolphins always looked forward to playing the Cardinals, notching 8 wins in a row. The Cardinals took the next 3 games, 2004-2012, with that 2012 game ending in OT.
The two teams last played in a torrential rain downpour at Hard Rock Stadium on December 11, 2016. The Dolphins paddled away with a 26-23 win that soggy afternoon. Of note, the Cardinals ST failed on two extra point tries, costing 2 points right there; and later, the Cardinals Defense failed to stop the Dolphins on a 2-point conversion. Those 4 points were the difference between the Cardinals winning and losing that day.
The most head-to-head points scored by the Dolphins: 55 (1977). Fewest: 10 (2008). The most points scored by the Cardinals: 31 (2008). Fewest: 3 (1990). Total points scored: Dolphins 326, Cardinals 200 (The Cardinals puny 16.66 points per game v. the Dolphins 27.16 points per game is why there are just 3 wins for the Cardinals across 12 games.).
Now let’s focus on the current game that will be played at SFS on November 8th at 4:25p.m. ET. The Miami Dolphins (4-3) are visiting the Arizona Cardinals (5-2) for the first time since September 2012 and only the 3rd time since 1990! Miami Dolphins fans still in Arizona since 1990 are probably all dead and fossilized by now.
On paper, the game seems like a walk-off win for the Cardinals, currently listed by numerous sports sites as 5-point favorites (prior to the 2 Cardinals players being placed on COVID IR—then the sports sites removed the ‘give #’ and lines went blank). The Cardinals are rested and coming off a really good Bye week. The Offense is putting up 29.0 points per game (11th in the League) and Defense is holding teams to 20.9 points per game (1st in the League). The Cardinals are healthy, and the top playmakers and scorers should all be activated.
But, don’t be fooled. The Dolphins are 4-1 in their last 5 games. In the last 2 games, the Dolphins Defense yielded a stingy 15.5 points per game. When a ‘scoring’ Defense is clicking like that, the Offense only has to be okay—not good or great—to win. The Miami Dolphins will be a very good test for the Cardinals at the season mid-point. We’ll know by close of business on Sunday if the Cardinals are true playoff contenders.
The top question mark for the Dolphins is Quarterback. QB Tua Tagovailoa didn’t set the Hard Rock Stadium on fire last week with 12 of 22 completed and just 93 yards passing v. the LAR Defense. Still, Tua won his rookie debut game because the Dolphins Defense and ST controlled the pace and scoreboard -- THE MIA DEFENSE FORCED 4 LAR TURNOVERS IN THE 1ST HALF.
I must point out that the Dolphins Defense does give up significant yards per game, and exactly 471 versus QB Jared Goff and the potent LAR offense last week. The Cardinals also punched the Seattle Seahawks in the mouth for over 500 yards two weeks ago in that now famous “SNF shootout.” So, I expect the Cardinals to again run and pass all over the field versus the static Dolphins front seven.
The team stats (7 games): Points PG: Dolphins 26.9, Cardinals 29.0. Points Allowed PG: Dolphins 18.6, Cardinals 20.9. Total Yards PG: Dolphins 331.9, Cardinals 424.6. Yards Allowed PG: Dolphins 399.0, Cardinals 399.3.
The interesting stats (7 games): Dolphins beat the Jets 24-0, and 49ers 43-17, but lost to the Seahawks 31-23. Cardinals beat the Jets 31-10, the 49ers 24-20, and the Seahawks 37-34 (OT).
*PutMeIn’s BOTTOM LINE: The teams are much closer talent wise than the W/L records indicate. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa is the Dolphins Achilles Heel. And if FitzMagic replaces Tua for at least a quarter for any reason, all my bets are off on which team has the best shot at winning this contest.
Game over/under is 46 as of last Monday, and trending up to as much as 47.5 points on Election Day, November 3rd. I think that’s about 5 points to much, given the Cardinals’ tendency to start slow and their balanced scoring potential on Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. Officially, the Cardinals beat the Vegas spread 5-2 in 2020. The Cardinals and competition finished “under” the o/u in 6 of 7 games. FWIW, ESPN’s matchup predictor, which is based on its Football Power Index, has the Dolphins at 30.1% chance of winning, the Cardinals at 69.7% chance of winning, and a 0.2% chance of a tie. Because the Dolphins are 4-1 in their last 5 games, and surprised the LAR, many in the West are already complaining about “Trap Game.” We saw a TG happen versus the average Detroit Lions, an undervalued and un-feared team until the Cardinals Defense awoke too late to do anything about it.
The final Injury Report will pop on Sunday morning. So far at mid-week, the Cardinals are in great shape. On November 2nd, only Kenyan Drake was listed as OUT. The Dolphins listed Roberts (LB), Laird (RB), and Perry (CB) as questionable. No more COVID test data was released as of November 3rd. Two Cardinals were moved to COVID IR list on November 2nd: Devon Kennard (LB), and Byron Murphy (CB). Players can return from the COVID IR list after 10 days have passed since their initial test – if they are asymptomatic, or 5 days have passed since the initial positive test and they receive 2 consecutive negative PCR virus tests within a 5-day period.
Sunday afternoon weather at Glendale, AZ, on November 8th will be seasonably cool with kickoff temperature at 66F, partly cloudy skies, and low humidity. Roof may be open. A few more fans will be in attendance compared to the ridiculously low allowed head count at the Seattle Seahawks game two weeks ago. When will these state- and city-imposed public event attendance restrictions end? 2021? 2022?
Game kickoff is at 4:25 pm ET. Watch on CBS and NFL’s Red Zone. Listen to local AZ radio and mobile devices at Sirrus FM. The game could be broadcast nationally—CBS’s Sunday primetime schedule is not yet released as of November 3rd. State Farm Stadium at Glendale will have some fans and family members in attendance. I still expect piped-in crowd noise to enhance the fan’s game experience.
Carl Cheffers #51 will be the NFL Referee (White Hat) for the game. He is a highly respected official, working for the NFL since 2000 and as a Referee since 2008. He officiated at several unusual NFL games throughout his career—see YouTube, et al, for some famous calls. He referred Super Bowl LI in 2017, the only OT Super Bowl game, won by New England over Atlanta Falcons. His calls grade well among all officials—there are no big negatives in his record of officiating. When not making the hard calls on the football field, he’s the husband of Mrs. Cheffers and the father to two children. Referee Chefers is 60 years old.
Let’s all have a fun and entertaining game at our first home game of November at State Farm Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This is the great test game heading into the second half of the season. No major injuries to any players. Go Cardinals! Win #6. Keep pace with those danged soaring Seahawks.