Cardinals 24 - Dolphins 21

Dear Miami Dolphins,

I have to apologize for the words that I wrote in this blog last Friday.  Here is the quote:

"The Cardinals have a great defense, making quarterback Tom Brady look pedestrian.  How do you think they'll make rookie Ryan Tannehill look?"

I was writing that I did not believe the game would be close, Arizona was going to win in a landslide, 28 to 13 was my pick. 

I didn't expect to watch Tannehill throw for a new rookie record 431 yards.  No other rookie quarterback in a Dolphins uniform has ever thrown for that many yards in one game.  Not Dan Marino, who set the earlier record back in 1983, when he put up 322 yards.  He lost that game as well. 

I didn't expect Brian Hartline to make 12 catches for 253 yards, the most one-game reception yardage for any Miami Dolphin in history.  I certainly didn't think that Davonne Bess would add another 123 yards. 

Your defense sacked Arizona QB Kevin Kolb 8 times, Cameron Wake coming alive with 4.5 of those...his first of the season.  Who could have expected this?

Of course, while watching Sunday's game, when you guys had a 13 - 0 lead at halftime, then a 21 - 14 lead near the end of the game, I did expect you to win. 

When Dan Carpenter went for a 51 yard field goal in the 3rd quarter, I didn't expect him to miss, although I guess I should have, remembering last week's game versus the Jets, when he missed two. 

I still like how Tannehill is coming along, despite throwing 2 INTs (one happened when Hartline slipped) and fumbling once (He barely had time to take two steps before having a defender in his face).  I hope it's not just wishful thinking, but I believe you may have finally found the quarterback of the future...the one you've been looking for since Dan Marino retired. 

But may I ask you one thing?  Please win!  Win games that you have in your grasp.  Win on the road against an undefeated Arizona team when you outplay them nearly the entire game.  Win so that I don't have to endure the teasing at work.  But most importantly, win because you care. 

Oh, and good luck in Cincinnati.  Yeah, right.

Joel Malkin