Dolphins vs. Falcons: Preview, score prediction for Week 6

Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons are all set to square off in a Week 6 match-up between two franchises who were in the NFL Playoffs less than a year ago. When this game was scheduled back in April, it was clearly one of the Falcons biggest tests of the first half of their season. However, after five weeks of football, the Dirty Birds are actually huge favorites over the Fins — an 11.5-point favorite to be exact.

Whoever wins this game on Sunday will definitely have the moments heading into the seventh week of the season. It’s crazy to think we’re almost half way through the regular season, which means each and every game counts that much more moving forward.

That said, take a look at two takeaways for each team in Week 6:

Falcons Keys to Victory:

Protect the Football: Oh man. I thought that the Falcons were past their days of senseless turnovers, but it turns out that I was dead wrong, as they have turned the ball for six times in their last two games. While it didn’t catch up with them against Detroit, it was the nail-in-the-coffin in their loss versus the Bills.

Atlanta is clearly the better team in this match-up with the Dolphins, so the last thing they need to do is give away the football on offense. If Matt Ryan makes smarter throws this weekend and if his receivers can hold onto the ball, the Falcons should be just fine.

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Stay Committed to Running the Football: If there’s anything Miami does extremely well, it’s that they don’t allow many teams to run the football well on them. Heading into Week 6, Miami is actually the fourth ranked NFL defense in rushing yards allowed per game with 75.6. While I have a ton of faith in Atlanta’s offensive line, I have even more trust in the Dolphins defensive line.

That said, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian needs to stay committed to running the football on Sunday afternoon. Since everything in this Atlanta offense played off of the run game, they cannot afford to become one-dimensional against the Fins in Week 6. If they do, it could be a long game for Matt Ryan.

Dolphins Keys to Victory:

Get an Interception: If Miami is going to upset the Falcons in Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend, they’ll need to do something they haven’t done all season: force an interception. Yes, you read that line correctly; the Dolphins haven’t forced a turnover once in 2017.

With an offense that’s struggling to move the football, Miami’s defense needs to get Jay Cutler extra possessions however they can. Whether it’s an interception, fumble recovery or punt, the Fins need all the help they can get in Week 6.

Convert on third down Early: When your offense can’t get in a rhythm, the best thing that can happen is for them to convert on third downs early in the football game. Not only does it give the offense confidence, but it starts to make the opposing team’s defense question their gameplan and play-calling.

I don’t expect the Falcons to stray from their gameplan, since what they do on defense is pretty straight-forward. However, what it will do is keep the Atlanta offense off the field and keep the Dolphins in the football game for as long as possible.

Odds

Point Spread: Atlanta -13
Moneyline: Miami +535, Atlanta -700
Over/Under: 47

Odds via Sportsbookreview.com

Next: Week 6 QB Power Rankings

Prediction

At the end of the day, I don’t believe the Dolphins will be able to move the football on a rested Falcons defense. The best thing that could have happened to Atlanta was getting to rest in Week 6. With injuries upon injuries piling up, Dan Quinn’s squad used this last week to rest and get ready for their stretch-run of the 2017 season. That said, I strongly believe Jay Cutler and Miami are in for another tough day at the office on Sunday afternoon. Atlanta will get up early, stay up and leave victorious.

Pick: Miami Dolphins: 10, Atlanta Falcons: 24

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