Arizona Cardinals v. Miami Dolphins Preview

The Arizona Cardinals enter unfamiliar territory Sunday.

For the first time since 1974, the Redbirds are 3-0 to start a season. They sit atop the NFC West division and are starting to get noticed around the league.

Sunday’s test at home against a 1-2 Dolphins team is just as difficult as the three that came before it, because while they won’t be facing a Tom Brady or Michael Vick, they will be facing something far greater — an expectation to win.

Quarterbacks:

Kevin Kolb put to rest any talk about a quarterback controversy, at least for the near future, with his play against the Eagles last week. The second-year Cardinals’ quarterback looked composed in the pocket against his former team, threw two touchdown passes and most importantly, didn’t try to force anything that wasn’t there.

The big number for Kolb thus far isn’t the number of touchdowns or completion percentage or passing yards, it’s wins. And since John Skelton went down in the fourth quarter of the Cardinals’ Week 1 win over the Seahawks, Kolb has been flawless in that department.

It’s been a busy week for Kolb, as his wife Whitney gave birth to their third daughter, Saylor, on Thursday night. While sleep may have been an issue for the six-year veteran all week, something tells me adrenaline will kick in when he hits the field at University of Phoenix Stadium.

On the flip side, Dolphins’ rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill hasn’t had an easy go of it through the first three games of his career.

While Miami’s offensive line has protected him better than any rookie quarterback this season — only four sacks — Tannehill’s accuracy and ability to put points together in the red zone has been a major issue.

To his credit, the Dolphins have faced tough defenses in the Texans and Jets. But for a man who doesn’t even know who plays in his own conference, don’t expect him to have a career day on Sunday against the Cardinals’ stingy unit.

Offense:

The Cardinals are coming off their highest scoring output of the season (27), although some of that was aided by James Sanders’ 93-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

But what didn’t show up in the box score, was a level of comfort Kevin Kolb — 17 of 24 for 222 yards — illustrated in the pocket. While he was sacked three times, the Cardinals’ quarterback looked like he believed he belonged on the field.

Because of it, Pro Bowl wideout Larry Fitzgerald was able to flourish with man-to-man coverage, torching Nnamdi Asomugha for nine catches, 114 receiving yards and a 37-yard touchdown.

The Cardinals will be without the services of veteran running back Beanie Wells for the foreseeable future, after he was diagnosed this week with a turf toe injury. But second-year back Ryan Williams is coming off a career-day — 83 yards rushing — against the Eagles, so look for he and William Powell to be an integral part of the offense.

As for the Dolphins, the offense these days, more or less, runs through their 1,000 yard rusher from a year ago, Reggie Bush.

The former star from USC did injure his knee in last week’s loss against the Jets, and was limited all week. He is currently being listed as a ‘true’ game-time decision.

With or without Bush, the Dolphins are still in the process of developing their pass game with Tannehill. The problem, as illustrated on HBO’s Hard Knocks this summer, Miami never really found him a No. 1 receiver. The Dolphins main two weapons are Brian Hartline and Devone Bess this season. Not exactly an awe-inspiring receiving corps.

Defense:

From ESPN to NBC’s ProFootballTalk to even this very site, the Cardinals’ defense has been getting plenty of publicity this week, and for good reason.

Ray Horton’s group made Vick and Brady look pedestrian the past two weeks, and impressively never took their foot off the gas. Over the past 12 games, the defense has been as good as any in all of football statistically, but also when applying the eye test.

The Cardinals are ninth in passing yards/game, sixth in takeaways and second in points/game through the first three weeks.

Even without Adrian Wilson last week, and in all likelihood defensive end Darnell Dockett Sunday, the Cardinals have embraced the next man up philosophy. From Daryl Washington to Sam Acho to Kerry Rhodes and everyone in between, the Cardinals have made defense exciting again in the Valley of the Sun.

The Dolphins aren’t too shabby either, especially against the run. Miami is second in the league in yards/run and third in yards/game. Their big issue is against the pass, especially after trading cornerback Vontae Davis to the Colts during training camp.

While they try to employ an effective pass rush led by former Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, if opposing quarterbacks have time against the Fins, they are usually very successful. Miami is currently allowing over 300 yards passing per game.

Outlook:

If you’re looking for offense, this game probably won’t be for you. You’re better off watching a re-run of last night’s UA-Oregon State game. Ryan Williams will need to be effective in this game, but even if he’s not I think Kevin Kolb does just enough in the red zone to put some distance in this one. The Cardinals’ defense will continue doing what they’ve done through the first three weeks, dominate.

Prediction: Cardinals 20, Dolphins 9