Arizona Cardinals overcome Miami Dolphins in overtime 24-21, get fourth straight win – NFL Recap
Arizona Cardinals staged an impressive comeback performance that saw them first matching Miami Dolphins’ score to force the game to overtime and later winning it, 24-21, on Sunday, September 30, at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The victory also stretched Cardinals’ winning streak to four games as they remain undefeated this season. They are also leading National Football Conference (NFC) West, posing stiff challenge to San Francisco 49ers (3-1), who are still behind them.
No scoring move was made in first quarter, but Dolphins managed to dominate the game during second quarter. They scored a couple of field goals and a touchdown to enter halftime with a lead of 13 points.
Cardinals started to generate plays in the latter half of the game. They scored a touchdown in third quarter when their prime receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught a three-yard pass from quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Trailing by six points, Cardinals entered the final quarter with attacking intentions and managed to overcome the lead when Andre Roberts successfully caught a 46-yard pass from Kolb.
However, the Cards were unable to retain their one-point lead and Dolphins soon got the lead again when quarterback Ryan Tannehill and receiver Brian Hartline connected for an 80-yard touchdown play.
Cardinals were once again behind, but they managed to level the score in the final minute of the regulation when Kolb and Roberts once again connected for a touchdown.
The game was forced to overtime in which Cardinals got a field goal to seal the victory.
Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was delighted after the win, but he admitted that there were a lot of areas for his team to improve. He said after the game:
"Fortunately for us, the overtime thing continues to work for us. It wasn't pretty. We've got a lot of things we've got to correct, but there's a lot of fight in our team. To be able to hang in there, make some plays at the end and win the game, it goes
a long way to building confidence in what you can do."
Kolb finished the game completing 29 of his 48 passes for 324 yards. He also scored three touchdowns while sending two interceptions.
On the other hand, Tannehill completed 26 of his 41 passes for 431 yards, scoring one touchdown and throwing two interceptions.
Dolphins are now 1-3 after four games and on a two-game losing streak. Hartline said after the game:
“I am kind of speechless. I really don't know what to say. ... Losing isn't fun, but there are games where you just get beat. I don't mind saying it -- I don't feel we got beat."
Hoping to further stretch their winning streak, Cardinals will take on St. Louis Rams in Week 5 game, while Dolphins will now face Cincinnati Bengals.
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