Atlanta Falcons: Previewing Key Matchups vs Miami Dolphins
By Sunny Minhas
Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn celebrates with players after the Falcons forced a turnover in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Previewing The Miami Dolphins
There aren’t many better opponents to see where the Atlanta Falcons are at right now. They will contest with the Miami Dolphins in the regular season dress rehearsal. The Dolphins are a very solid team across the board and I think are certainly playoff calibre. They should give the Falcons a run for their money.
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Typically the starters play through the first half if not more, so it’s as close to regular season football as you can get. There is also some game planning as well and these games can give you a good indicator of where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
The Falcons’ previous preseason opponents aren’t near as well-balanced as the Dolphins and it mostly begins with the presence of a good experienced quarterback who is primed to breakout entering his 4th year in the NFL.
Offensively, the Dolphins can threaten you with the run and pass. They have put together a sparkling new receiving corps for Ryan Tannehill and return the very underrated Lamar Miller who ran for 1099 yards on a 5.1 YPC average. Defensively, they have a strong front seven and an opportunistic secondary to capitalise on any forced errors.
That’s not to say the game will be one-sided. A reinvigorated Falcons team has played at a noticeable level of energy through the first two games and the new scheme installations has seemed to get the best out of it’s players. The starters have thoroughly dominated their opposite number and will look to do the same against the Dolphins.
There are a few vital matchups to look out for as the Falcons take on the Dolphins, so we can attain a good sense of where the Falcons stand.
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