Arizona wide receiver Andre Roberts saluted the crowd Sunday after his fourth-quarter touchdown helped the Cardinals run their season record to 4-0. (AP) |
The Cardinals spent two weeks making Tom Brady and Michael Vick look like rookies.
They spent most of Sunday making Ryan Tannehill look like a wily veteran.
Then they reminded him of his age. Twice.
Tannehill broke Dan Marino's team record for passing yards in a game by a rookie by more than 100 yards with 431 on the day, including a brilliant 80-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Brian Hartline. But it was two costly turnovers that reminded watchers of his inexperience.
The Cardinals, who trailed 13-0 at halftime, survived an onslaught by the Dolphins pass rush -- which totaled eight sacks -- and intercepted Tannehill twice -- once in the fourth quarter and again in overtime. Both led to scores. The final takeaway set up Jay Feely's game-winning 46-yard field goal.
When the game turned: Too many times to count, but ultimately, the game was decided when Tannehill showed his youth one too many times. With just over 12 minutes left in overtime, Arizona veteran safety Kerry Rhodes intercepted a Tannehill pass at midfield. One big completion from Kolb to Early Doucet on third-and-8 and the Cardinals were in field-goal range. Then Jay Feely did what Jay Feely does, nailing the 46-yard attempt for the win and his 18th consecutive field goal, which is tied for the second longest streak in franchiose history.
Highlight moments: Kolb's touchdown pass to Andre Roberts with 22 seconds left in regulation was one of those moments that define a season. Both that touchdown and the field goal in overtime were set up by crucial defensive pressure plays, a fourth-quarter sack and forced fumble by Daryl Washington and Rhodes' interception of Tannehill after the Dolphins' rookie tried to escape the grasp of Paris Lenon.
Top-shelf performances: Brian Hartline, say hello to the Dolphins' record book. Hartline broke the Miami record with 245 receiving yards on 12 catches, one being the 80-yarder in the fourth quarter that set up the Cardinals' heroics. ... Defensive end Cameron Wake had 4.5 sacks for the Dolphins, who totaled eight sacks of Kolb.
What they said about the comeback win:
- Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald -- "This is what the fans pay for."
- Arizona WR Michael Floyd -- "Feels good to be 4-0!!!! (via Twitter)"
- Arizona DT Darnell Dockett -- "I'm proud of my boyz today, we fight till its over!! 4-0..... looked ugly but we will take it. #BIRDGANG™ (via Twitter)"
- Arizona WR Andre Roberts on game-tying touchdown: "The funny thing is we had run that play twice in those four plays. I guess (coaches) saw on the sidleine that I was open the first time. It was a double move that we thought we could get (Sean Smith) on and we scored."
Numbers you should know: Arizona won despite an anemic running game. The Cardinals totaled 28 rushing yards, including just 26 on 13 carries by newly crowned starter Ryan Williams, who takes over on a full-time basis for the injured Beanie Wells. Arizona also won despite being outgained by nearly 200 yards, 480-297.
Going forward: The Cardiac Cardinals had better regain their composure quickly. Arizona travels to St. Louis for a Thursday night game against the Rams, and they play the Bills the following week, so they have a legitimate chance to open the season at 6-0. Then they go to Minnesota before a huge inter-divisional matchup with San Francisco.
For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Jon Gold, follow @CBSSportsNFLARI on Twitter.