Dolphins Stifle Cardinals, 23-3 : Interconference: The NFL’s top-rated defense helps Miami earn its fifth consecutive victory and improve to 7-1, its best start since 1984.

The Miami Dolphins made it to Super Bowl XIX with a wide-open pass offense directed by quarterback Dan Marino.

This season, the Dolphins are off to their best start since 1984 with a ball-control offense led by Marino and the NFL’s top-rated defense.

Both elements were present Sunday as the Dolphins earned their fifth consecutive victory, a 23-3 victory over the Phoenix Cardinals that improved the Dolphins to 7-1.

“We want to keep that momentum going,” Dolphin Coach Don Shula said. “In order to make this 7-1 meaningful, you have to win in the second half of the year to get where you want to go.”

Marino completed 18 of 25 passes for 205 yards, including touchdown pass plays of 17 yards to Tony Paige and seven yards to Mark Clayton.

Marino directed scoring drives of 79, 65, 69 and 84 yards. Pete Stoyanovich kicked field goals of 19, 21 and 19 yards to remain perfect in 12 attempts this season.

“We’ve been trying to play control football, and it has worked for us,” Marino said. “We’re capable of opening it up, but the style of football we’re playing has been effective.”

The Dolphins’ defense, which has given up the fewest points and yards in the NFL, kept the opposition out of the end zone for the second consecutive week. The defense has given up one touchdown in the past 14 quarters.

Phoenix rookie Johnny Johnson, who entered the game as the NFC’s leading rusher, was limited to a season-low 27 yards in 11 carries.

“I didn’t think we did all we could to challenge them,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to move the ball when you have a lot of breakdowns. That’s what’s most disappointing.”

The Cardinals (2-6) got their only points on a 44-yard field goal by Al Del Greco at the end of the first half to make the score 13-3.

Phoenix had the ball for only three plays in the third quarter as the Dolphins mounted 11- and 12-play scoring drives for their final points.

“They’re for real,” Cardinal Coach Joe Bugel said. “People say they’ve played a weak schedule. I don’t believe it. They’re legitimate contenders. They can make you look bad because they’re a good team.”

Three former Cardinals--linebacker E.J. Junior and defensive end Karl Wilson and defensive back Liffort Hobley--combined for four of Miami’s five sacks.

One of Junior’s two sacks forced Timm Rosenbach to fumble and Jeff Cross recovered at the Cardinals’ 25-yard line. That set up a Stoyanovich field goal.