Miami Dolphins (0-1) vs Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Game Info: Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Hard Rock Stadium)
Betting Odds: Miami Dolphins -5 -- Over/Under: 36.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Atlanta Falcons will travel to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins this Saturday night in NFL Preseason action.
The Atlanta Falcons opened their preseason last week in a disappointing 23-3 loss against the Tennessee Titans. Atlanta could not get anything going on the offensive end throughout the game against the Tennessee defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 13-0 margin. Atlanta struggled in the passing game as AJ McCarron (5 for 12, 36 yards, 1 INT) & Feleipe Franks (2 for 9, 16 yards) had little success through the air. Feleipe Franks did have some success with his legs as he finished with 76 rushing yards, including a 52-yard run. The top receiving threats for the Falcons were John Raine (2 rec, 15 yards), Caleb Huntley (1 rec, 14 yards), & Parker Hesse (1 rec, 8 yards). Leading the way in the back field was Caleb Huntley (6 car, 18 yards) & D’Onta Foreman (3 car, 10 yards).
Defensively, Atlanta struggled on both aspects against the Tennessee passing and rushing attacks as Tennessee QB’s finished with a combined QB rating of 110.4 while also allowing Tennessee to rack up 138 rushing yards. Leading the way for the Atlanta defense was Dorian Etheridge (13 tackles, 3 TFL) & Jaylinn Hawkins (3 tackles, 1 sack).
The Miami Dolphins will also be searching for their first victory of the season after falling to the Chicago Bears by a 20-13 margin in their first preseason game. Miami got off to a solid start against the Bears, taking a 13-0 lead late in the 2nd quarter, however, the Dolphins had no answers for Justin Fields in the 2nd half and could not hang on to the victory. Offensively, Miami was led by QB Tua Tagovailoa who completed 8 of 11 passes for 99 yards, 0 TD, & 1 INT. Miami’s backup QB’s played well as Jacoby Brissett & Reid Sinnett combined to complete 12 of 20 passes for 118 yards & 1 TD. The top receiving threats for the Dolphins were Mike Gesicki (2 rec, 56 yards) & Lynn Bowden Jr. (4 rec, 47 yards). Leading the way for the Miami backfield was Salvon Ahmed (6 car, 40 yards; 2 rec, 31 yards, 1 TD) & Myles Gaskin (4 car, 19 yards).
Defensviely, Miami struggled against Justin Fields in the 2nd half and despite forcing 2 turnovers in the game, still allowed Chicago to rack up 339 yards and didn’t register a single sack. Leading the way for the Dolphins defense was Duke Riley (6 Tackles, 1 TFL) & Noah Igbinoghene (4 Tackles).
The Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on grass. The Dolphins are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games and 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite.
Atlanta doesn’t seem like their going to give Matt Ryan any time in this matchup and after seeing the offense do little under AJ McCarron & Feleipe Franks, we must be concerned that Atlanta will once again have trouble putting up offense in this one. Miami is going to give Tua Tagovailoa plenty of snaps and between the fact that I think Jacob Brissett will be put up solid numbers and that the Dolphins should give plenty of carries to the duo of Salvon Ahmed & Myles Gaskin, I think the Dolphins have no trouble winning this game by at least a TD. Take Miami to cover this spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Miami Dolphins -5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
