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Dolphins Preparing For Cardinals Looking To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – The Miami Dolphins' six-game winning streak came to an abrupt end last weekend thanks to a blowout suffered in Baltimore.

Now the Dolphins will have to begin a new streak if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Miami will be facing the Arizona Cardinals, a team that has greatly underachieved this season compared so their preseason expectations.

Led by second-year running back David Johnson, the Cardinals offense will be a tough test for the Dolphins defense that was completely thrashed a week ago by the Ravens.

Miami's defense is hoping to have middle linebacker Kiko Alonso in the lineup on Sunday.

Alonso broke his right thumb during the loss to Baltimore but also re-aggravated a hamstring injury. His status for this weekend is still up in the air.

With a 7-5 record, the Dolphins currently are the first team in the AFC out of the playoffs.

The two Wild Card spots are occupied by the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) and the Denver Broncos (8-4). Kansas City hosts the AFC West leading Oakland Raiders (10-2) on Thursday night.

 

ARIZONA (5-6-1) at MIAMI (7-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

OPENING LINE — Dolphins by 2 1/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Arizona 4-8, Miami 5-5-2

SERIES RECORD — Dolphins lead 8-3

LAST MEETING — Cardinals beat Dolphins 24-21, OT, Sept. 30, 2012

LAST WEEK —Cardinals beat Redskins 31-23; Dolphins lost to Ravens 38-6

AP PRO32 RANKING —Dolphins No. 15, Cardinals No. 21

CARDINALS OFFENSE — OVERALL (9), RUSH (15), PASS (9).

CARDINALS DEFENSE — OVERALL (2), RUSH (T11), PASS (3).

DOLPHINS OFFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (8), PASS (28).

DOLPHINS DEFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (30), PASS (11).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Miami is only team Arizona has yet to play since Bruce Arians became coach. ... Dolphins haven't beaten Cardinals since 1999. Arizona has won past three meetings. ... Cardinals have outgained opponents by 72 yards per game, most in NFL. Dolphins have been outgained by 45 yards per game, fifth worst. ... Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald has at least one reception in 191 consecutive games, third-longest streak in NFL history. It began last time Cardinals played in Miami, in 2004. ... Arians is 11-4 against AFC. ... Cardinals are 0-3 in Eastern time zone this season, but this if final game in East. ... Cardinals' David Johnson leads NFL in scrimmage yards (1,709) and touchdowns (15), and in RB receptions (64) and receiving yards (704). ... Arizona has allowed 10 touchdown passes, tied for fewest in league. ... Cardinals have held opposing teams to passer rating of 76.6, third lowest. .. Dolphins have beaten only one team that's above .500 (Pittsburgh at 7-5). Other victories came against teams that are combined 19-52. ... Miami's Jay Ajayi is averaging 5.3 yards per carry, third best in NFL. ... Jarvis Landry has 269 catches, a record for most receptions in first three years of career. ... Dolphins have been outscored 83-27 in first quarter. ... Miami's Kiko Alonso has NFL-leading four fumble recoveries. ... Byron Maxwell's four forced fumbles are most by an NFL cornerback since Charles Tillman (10) in 2012. ... Dolphins are only team without fourth-down conversion. They're 0 for 4, and their opponents are 8 for 11. ... Fantasy Tip: Dolphins LBs struggle in pass coverage and may be unable to contain Johnson.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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