The Miami Dolphins’ heartbreaking 28-27 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday spoiled the previously successful return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to the lineup.

The loss dropped the Dolphins to 2-5 on the season and left them with even less wiggle room if they want to make the playoffs for a third straight year.

Despite their loss to the Cardinals, the Dolphins barely advanced in the national power rankings despite being in the bottom third of the league.

Based on our NFL power rankings survey from 10 national outlets:Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, NFL.com, The Ringer, USA Today, The Sporting News, The Athletic, Yahoo! Sport and Bleach Report — The Dolphins only dropped an average of 0.1 points.

The Dolphins’ average ranking increased from 25.0 to 25.1; the highest was 23 (Yahoo! Sports) and the lowest was 30 (CBS Sports). The Dolphins even moved up in four of the standings.

Here’s a breakdown of the Dolphins’ ten power rankings heading into Week 9 of the 2024 regular season, along with related commentary.

Sports Illustrated

Arrangement: 24

Last week: 25

Analysis: The Dolphins lost, but does anyone feel like the world is getting right, I thought, as I watched Tua Tagovailoa make about four perfectly coordinated backfield dives in the middle of a flurry of action and get a first down pass to fullback Alec Ingold on an open pass? The Dolphins were one Jordan Poyer pick away from taking Arizona on the field on Sunday. Poyer just missed Kyler Murray’s throw (it was a tough angle, I don’t blame Poyer), and a few plays later a ball flew out of Tagovailoa’s hands and headed toward the back of the end zone.

Professional Football Talk

Arrangement: 26

Last week: 25

Analysis: The season could come down to Sunday’s game in Buffalo.

CBS Sports

Arrangement: 30

Last week: 29

Analysis: This was a terrible home loss for the Cardinals on the day Tua Tagovailoa returned to the lineup. They’re in big trouble when they hit the road to face the Bills this week.

NFL.com

Arrangement: 23

Last week: 26

Analysis: Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the field after missing four games with a concussion was a huge success as he played well, had no rust issues, and had just three hits and one sack in 38 passing yards. But if it’s a win you’re looking for, Sunday wasn’t all that positive as the Dolphins suffered their fifth loss in their last six games. There were still a few offensive hiccups, and don’t forget Aaron Brewer lofting a shotgun shot high at Tua’s head, which led to an Arizona safety and the Cardinals back in the game. But all in all, the operation with Tagovailoa at QB has been night and day different from the way things have been under anyone who has replaced him in his absence. Miami’s pass defense had its worst game of the season despite putting a fair amount of pressure on Kyler Murray.

Bell

Arrangement: 25

Last week: 24

Analysis: With Tua Tagovailoa returning from his concussion in September, this passing game is back to its usual modus operandi. Tagovailoa took the ball off his hands faster than any quarterback in the league in Week 8, needing a season-low 2.23 seconds to throw. This type of speed can help protect the quarterback from hits, but it makes it difficult to develop routes. The Dolphins can’t seem to make intermediate throws like they used to, and yards after the catch on short throws aren’t as effective as they were in the past. Tagovailoa’s difficulty finding explosive downfield throws against the poor Arizona defense is a sign that there are deep problems with this offensive scheme.

USA Today Sports

Arrangement: 24

Last week: 24

Analysis: The league’s lowest-scoring offense naturally operates at a much higher level with QB Tua Tagovailoa on the field. But strangely the defense allows more than five points Less per game when Tagovailoa is not playing.

Sports News

Arrangement: 23

Last week: 24

Analysis: The Dolphins saw their entire offense wake up from Tua Tagavoiloa; The runners did the most damage, stealing the show from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Unfortunately, Miami’s pass defense tanked against Kyler Murray.

Athletic

Arrangement: 29

Last week: 27

Analysis: The Dolphins have made headlines throughout the Mike McDaniel era (now two-and-a-half seasons long) with a flashy and entertaining offense, but it’s worth wondering how much long-term success it will deliver. Tua Tagovailoa returned Sunday and the Dolphins gained 377 yards and completed 11 of 15 third downs and still lost. Miami lost in the wild-card round in both seasons under McDaniel and will have a chance to make the postseason this year.

Yahoo! Sport

Arrangement: 24

Last week: 23

Analysis: What a demoralizing loss. The Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa back and if they win at home against the Cardinals on Sunday, a 3-4 record wouldn’t be bad. To take the lead in the fourth quarter and lose is a big blow.

Bleach Report

Arrangement: 24

Last week: 27

Analysis: The good news for the Miami Dolphins is that the team got quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back on Sunday, scoring his most points of the season. The bad news is that Miami hasn’t put up as many points as Arizona, and at 2-5, the Dolphins’ playoff chances are dwindling fast.

For the record, the Dolphins’ upcoming opponent, the Buffalo Bills, has an average ranking of 3.3, ranking third or fourth across all ten channels.