The Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins meet Friday in NFL preseason action from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Here’s a Dolphins vs Falcons prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Dolphins vs Falcons pick.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
Back on August 14, the Falcons opened up their preseason with a game versus the Denver Broncos. Atlanta was down 24-0 by the break in an eventual 27-7 blowout loss. Cooper Rush threw for 62 yards and a couple of picks on 7-of-19 passing, and Tyler Goodson led the rush with 28 yards on seven totes. Leading the receivers was Chris Blair with 37 yards off two catches in the defeat.
In preseason game two on Saturday versus the Colts, the Falcons jumped out to a commanding 24-6 halftime lead, scoring in every quarter along the way to a 34-6 blowout win. QB Jack Strand had 212 yards and a TD on 12-of-17 passing and Tyler Goodson had six carries for 59 yards and a touchdown of his own. Cash Jones was the team’s leading receiver on 62 yards and a TD on four catches.
Miami Dolphins Betting Preview
Over on the Miami side, they took on the Washington Commanders in their preseason opener. The Dolphins had an early lead but didn’t score after the first quarter in a loss 20-7. Malik Willis was the leading passer with 43 yards on a 4-of-5 line and a 102.5 passer rating. Ollie Gordon and De’Von Achane each rushed seven times for 39 yards. Caleb Douglas led the receivers with his line 28-yard catch.
Last Saturday the Dolphins hosted the New York Giants. In that one Miami was in trouble at halftime on a 20-3 deficit. The Dolphins gave up a couple more field goals from there in a 26-3 loss. QB Cam Miller was 6-of-11 for 60 yards while also leading the rush on just 18 yards from two carries. Kevin Coleman caught two balls for 32 yards; he was the only team player with more than one reception.
Atlanta Falcons @ Miami Dolphins Betting Trends
Why the Atlanta Falcons will win
- The Falcons have covered the spread in five of their last six September games as road underdogs.
Atlanta Falcons Player Prop Facts
- Drake London has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last four appearances against AFC opponents.
- Tua Tagovailoa has recorded 270+ passing yards in three of his last four Week 1 appearances.
- Brian Robinson has recorded 20+ rushing yards in each of his 11 previous September appearances.
- Austin Hooper has recorded 15+ receiving yards in each of his last 15 appearances with the Falcons as underdogs.
- Brian Robinson has recorded 35+ rushing and receiving yards in 16 of his last 18 Sunday regular season appearances with his team as an underdog.
- Kyle Pitts recorded the equal-most receiving touchdowns in a single game last season (3 vs Buccaneers, Week 15).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Falcons ranked 32nd in the NFL in average kickoff return (22.9 yards) last season.
- Falcons – only team with 3+ players to record 800+ receiving yards last season (Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson).
Why the Miami Dolphins will win
- The Dolphins have won each of their last five season openers against AFC West opponents.
- The Dolphins have covered the spread in six of their last seven September games against AFC West opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Dolphins’ last six games without Greg Dulcich have gone OVER the total points line.
Miami Dolphins Player Prop Facts
- De’Von Achane has scored a touchdown in five of his last six Sunday road appearances.
- De’Von Achane has recorded 29+ receiving yards in four of his last five appearances with the Dolphins as underdogs.
- De’Von Achane has recorded 90+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last 11 appearances.
- De’Von Achane has recorded 55+ rushing yards in each of his last 12 appearances with the Dolphins as underdogs.
- De’Von Achane ranked 1st amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (5.7) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Dolphins – two different players recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
- Dolphins – two different players recorded 90+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
Dolphins vs Falcons Prediction
I’m leaning toward the Falcons. Atlanta had a very nice game on both sides of the ball versus the Colts. The Falcons gathered up 461 total yards (297 passing) with 6.7 yards per play and 24 first downs. On defense, Atlanta gave up just 164 yards (79 passing), 3.6 yards per play, nine first downs and a meager 1-of-11 on third-down conversion attempts. Part of that was the Colts just not playing well, but the Falcons still deserve the lion’s share of the credit.
As for the Dolphins, they posted just 102 yards (52 passing), 2.8 yards per play, three first downs and 2-of-11 on third downs in their loss to the Giants. The defense gave up 390 yards (257 passing) on the other side with 26 first downs and 11-of-18 on third-down tries. Needless to say, Miami needs a big turnaround preseason finish here.