| Miami Dolphins (1-6) at Atlanta Falcons (3-3) | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, October 26, 1 p.m. EST | |||
| Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium | |||
| Where to Watch: CBS |
Week 8 Matchup
A clash of struggling teams with vastly different strengths is set for Sunday in Atlanta as the Miami Dolphins visit the Atlanta Falcons. The Dolphins have dropped three straight games, including a humbling 31-6 loss in Cleveland last week, leaving them with a dismal 1-6 record. Their lone victory this season came against the winless New York Jets.
For the Falcons, who sit at 3-3, the story has been one of offensive potential that fizzles out before reaching the end zone. Despite moving the ball effectively, they have been snakebitten when it comes to scoring touchdowns.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | +7 | +295 | Over 44.5 |
| Atlanta Falcons | -7 | -370 | Under 44.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Miami Dolphins | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Points Per Game | 18.3 |
| 186.6 | Passing Yards Per Game | 228 |
| 92.4 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 136.3 |
| 29.3 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 20 |
| 203.9 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 141.2 |
| 159.3 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 124 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins arrive in Atlanta with an offense and defense ranked near the bottom of the league, and a quarterback searching for his confidence. Tua Tagovailoa has been turnover-prone, throwing three interceptions in each of his last two games and tying for the league lead with 10 picks. His performance against Cleveland was so troubling that he was benched for rookie Quinn Ewers.
The numbers paint a grim picture for the Dolphins’ defense, which is the worst in the NFL against the run, surrendering a staggering 159.3 yards per game. This unit has allowed five of the seven starting running backs they’ve faced to gain over 100 total yards. That’s a weakness the Falcons and their star running back are uniquely positioned to exploit.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons enter Sunday’s game with the league’s top-ranked pass defense, allowing a measly 141.2 yards per game through the air. Offensively, the Falcons have been adept at moving the ball, ranking seventh in the league in total yards. The issue, however, has been converting those yards into points, as they are scoring just 18.3 points per game.
Running back Bijan Robinson has been a human highlight reel, leading the NFL in total yards per game (152.3) and looking to extend his streak of gaining at least 100 scrimmage yards to nine consecutive home games. His matchup against Miami’s league-worst run defense is the one everyone will be watching.
Prediction
How did the Dolphins fall this far? It seems not long ago that Mike McDaniel was the trending, hip, coach who resurrected the career of Tua Tagovailoa. Bettors don’t care about this; all they know is the Dolphins are pitiful right now. And, they want to know if there are any clues to suggest Miami will cover the spread. I do not see any clues.
