Key Highlights
- The Miami Dolphins (1-6) and the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) will face off in NFL Week 8 on Paramount+.
- Kirk Cousins is expected to start for the Falcons, replacing Michael Penix Jr., who is sidelined with a knee injury.
- The Falcons are favored by 7 points over the Dolphins, with an over/under of 44.5 total points.
- Both teams have covered the spread three times this season.
Matchup Preview: Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons
The Miami Dolphins (1-6) and the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) will face off in NFL Week 8 on Sunday, October 26 at 1 p.m. ET, with the game airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. The Dysfunction continues for the Dolphins after they lost their last three games, including a 31-6 defeat against the Cleveland Browns.
The Falcons were also put in the loss column, falling to the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 20-10.
Michael Penix Jr., the starting quarterback for the Dolphins, will miss the game due to a knee injury. He is expected to be sidelined until further notice, leaving the team with uncertainty in their offensive lineup. In his place, Kirk Cousins from the Falcons will step up as the starter, bringing experience and leadership to the field.
Off-Field Challenges
The Miami Dolphins have been dealing with off-field issues, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury and coach Mike McDaniel’s struggles. The primary focus for the team is their performance on the field, where they are currently struggling to score points.
The passing game has significantly shriveled up since Tyreek Hill’s season-ending injury, generating only 186.6 yards per game. The run game can muster up a mere 92.4 yards per outing. Additionally, Miami’s defense is giving up an average of 159.3 rushing yards per game, making it difficult for the Dolphins to contain Bijan Robinson from the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons’ Strengths
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to put on a strong showing against their rivals. The team’s defense still allows the fewest passing yards in the NFL (141.2) and was firing on all cylinders when it held 49ers quarterback Mac Jones without a touchdown.
Bijan Robinson, who was held to just 40 yards on 14 carries against San Francisco, is set for revenge against Miami. The Falcons’ running back will look to prove himself as the team aims to secure their first home win of the season after being silenced on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.
Model’s Prediction
The SportsLine model projects Atlanta to cover the spread with a probability of 55% in simulations. According to the latest odds, the Falcons are favored by 7 points over the Dolphins, while the total points scored is set at 44.5.
Both teams have covered the spread three times this season, but the Falcons’ home advantage and strong defense make them a solid bet for this game. The overall series between these two teams has featured close games, with the Falcons winning three out of five matchups.
The Miami Dolphins will be looking to bounce back from their recent losses, while the Atlanta Falcons aim to secure an important home victory.
Fans should tune in on Sunday, October 26, at 1 p.m. ET for this highly anticipated NFL matchup.
