Arizona Cardinals: 4 games that will make or break their NFL season

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball before he is stopped by linebacker Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball before he is stopped by linebacker Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Miami Dolphins rushes the ball against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Miami Dolphins rushes the ball against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Miami Dolphins were both interesting and relatively competitive in the latter stages of 2019. While they appeared to be “Tanking for Tua” early on, they managed to win a few games, five to be exact, and still managed to get the quarterback they wanted in Tua Tagovailoa.

In Week 9, the Dolphins will play the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Of interest, will be the quarterback situation for Miami. While it would be completely logical that Tua is shelved for the 2020 season, all bets are off as organizations tend to rush quarterbacks drafted in the first round onto the playing field.

Tua, however, is a unique situation. The Dolphins actually have both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Cardinals castoff Josh Rosen on the roster. That would make the idea of seeing Tagovailoa as early as Week 9, absolute wishcasting.

As for how Week 9 plays out in Arizona? Well, this is one of those games you see on the schedule, and want to pencil in a win. Miami, who could and should be better, won’t likely have either the best quarterback on the field or the best offense. If the Cardinals are going to make that run to .500 or better this season, they need to win this kind of game against this kind of opponent.