Arizona Cardinals host Miami Dolphins in effort to move to 4-0 in early season

PHOENIX - The Arizona Cardinals (3-0) host the Miami Dolphins (1-2) Sunday, September 30 at 1:05 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium.

This is the 11th time these two teams have met since 1972, and the Dolphins are making just their third trip to Arizona (the first two came back in 1996 and 2008). Sunday’s game is just the seventh in the last 28 years.

The Dolphins have the edge in the series, winning 8 of the 10 games between the two teams, but the Cardinals have won the last two and have not lost to Miami since 1999.

Statistically, the two teams are similar in a handful of categories: the Cardinals have scored 67 points so far this season while the Dolphins have scored 65. In terms of touchdowns scored, the Cardinals have scored seven while the Dolphins have scored eight. Average time of possession is nearly identical, with the Cards sitting at 29:46 and the Dolphins at 29:42.

In terms of NFL Statistics, the Cardinals rank tenth in total defense, holding opponents to 316 yards per game, while the Dolphins are ranked 22nd overall, giving up 373.7 yards per game.

Offensively, the Dolphins are ranked 12th in the League, averaging 369.3 yards per game while the Cardinals are ranked 31st in total offense, averaging just 262.3 yards per game.

Both teams are fairly even when it comes to scoring, the Cardinals are averaging 22.3 points per game while the Dolphins are averaging 21.7 points per game.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is in his sixth season with the team and has an overall record of 47-42, while Coach Joe Philbin is in his first season with the Dolphins and of course, are 1-2. The Cardinals are coming off a nice 27-6 home win over the Eagles while the Dolphins are coming off a hard fought 23-20 overtime loss to the Jets.

If there is such a thing in the NFL, this should be a bit of a breather for the Cardinals, but with running back Beanie Wells out, Defensive Tackle Darnell Dockett, Tight Ends Todd Heap and Jeff Dray, and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling all doubtful for tomorrow’s game, this one could be another tight one.

Our pick: Cardinals 31 – Dolphins 17