Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins: 2024 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-10-27, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 28–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 33 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with +9.52 total EPA, and +3.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.16 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+44.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:01) 38-C.Ryland 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +17.16 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Tagovailoa · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +9.52 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Harrison · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +9.26 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
4. 4 T. McBride · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.24 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Achane · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +4.09 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
6. 6 Mi. Wilson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Waddle · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Hill · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Miami Dolphins — R. Mostert (Q1 55:17)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Murray (Q2 41:37)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Achane (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q3 23:35)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Harrison (K. Murray pass) (Q3 17:18)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Mostert (Q4 12:26)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner (Q4 8:50)

Field goals

• Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders (Q1 46:21)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders (Q2 30:18)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Ryland (Q3 26:48)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Ryland (Q4 0:01)
• Arizona Cardinals — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q1 55:17) — (10:17) 31-R.Mostert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 55:15) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the ARI 35 (Q1 46:21) — (1:21) 7-J.Sanders 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 6 (Q2 41:37) — (11:37) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-Mi.Wilson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q2 41:28) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the ARI 7 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) 7-J.Sanders 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 11–7. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIA 38 (Q3 26:48) — (11:48) 38-C.Ryland 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the ARI 12 (Q3 23:35) — (8:35) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 28-D.Achane for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 23:31) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the ARI 87 (Q3 21:22); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 22 (Q3 17:18) — (2:18) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-M.Harrison for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 19–14. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q4 12:26) — (12:26) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 12:22) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 70 (Q4 12:22); Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIA 70 (Q4 12:22); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q4 8:50) — (8:50) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 8:47) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIA 16 (Q4 0:01) — (:01) 38-C.Ryland 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END GAME.

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:01) — (:01) 38-C.Ryland 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin. [WPA +44.1% · EPA +0.23]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 2:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 18-M.Harrison to 50 for 18 yards (24-C.Smith). [WPA +10.9% · EPA +1.54]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:37) — (11:37) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-Mi.Wilson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.8% · EPA +3.04]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 17:18) — (2:18) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-M.Harrison for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.0% · EPA +2.52]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 26:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 28-D.Achane left end to ARI 23 for 47 yards (16-M.Melton; 34-J.Thompson). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.00]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:37) — (11:37) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-Mi.Wilson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.8% · EPA +3.04]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 26:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 28-D.Achane left end to ARI 23 for 47 yards (16-M.Melton; 34-J.Thompson). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.00]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-T.McBride to MIA 33 for 37 yards (11-D.Long). [WPA +6.5% · EPA +2.66]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 26:48) — (11:48) 38-C.Ryland 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +2.60]

Quarterback report card

T.Tagovailoa led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) · 41 dropbacks · 68.3% completion · +3.9% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +9.52 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 39 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +11.9% CPOE · +0.44 EPA/play · +17.16 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals +0.22, Miami Dolphins +0.20) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 9 drives, +18.46 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Miami Dolphins: 9 drives, +15.53 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Tagovailoa (MIA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• K. Murray (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 55:17 · ARI 1 · Score 0-6
   (10:17) 31-R.Mostert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 55:15 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
3. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 46:21 · ARI 35 · Score 0-10
   (1:21) 7-J.Sanders 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 41:37 · MIA 6 · Score 6-10
   (11:37) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-Mi.Wilson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 41:28 · MIA 15 · Score 7-10
   38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
6. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 30:18 · ARI 7 · Score 7-13
   (:18) 7-J.Sanders 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 26:48 · MIA 38 · Score 10-13
   (11:48) 38-C.Ryland 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
8. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 23:35 · ARI 12 · Score 10-19
   (8:35) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 28-D.Achane for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 23:31 · ARI 15 · Score 10-20
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
10. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q3 21:22 · ARI 87 · Score 12-20
    (6:22) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa FUMBLES (Aborted) at MIA 9, touched at MIA -1, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. Penalty on MIA-1-T.Tagovailoa, Illegal Ba
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 17:18 · MIA 22 · Score 18-20
    (2:18) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-M.Harrison for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 12:26 · ARI 6 · Score 18-26
    (12:26) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 12:22 · ARI 15 · Score 18-27
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-49-M.Overton, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 12:22 · MIA 70 · Score 18-27
    (12:22) 1-K.Murray to ARI 21 for -9 yards (93-C.Campbell). FUMBLES (93-C.Campbell), and recovers at ARI 17. 1-K.Murray pass incomplete short left.
15. Miami Dolphins TD (+7) — Q4 12:22 · MIA 70 · Score 18-27
    (12:22) 1-K.Murray to ARI 21 for -9 yards (93-C.Campbell). FUMBLES (93-C.Campbell), and recovers at ARI 17. 1-K.Murray pass incomplete short left.
16. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 8:50 · MIA 2 · Score 24-27
    (8:50) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 8:47 · MIA 15 · Score 25-27
    38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
18. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:01 · MIA 16 · Score 28-27
    (:01) 38-C.Ryland 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
19. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 28-27
    END GAME