FULL SCORE
Eric Edholm’s delivery:
- Dolphin’s offense exploded out of nowhere. Who made the Dolphins outrun the Falcons by nearly 100 yards on Sunday? After a mostly miserable offensive game against the Browns last week, and seven turnovers in their previous two games, the Dolphins took their frustrations out on the Falcons with a balanced, efficient and shocking offense. Tua Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns against one of the better pass defenses in the NFL, despite popping up on the injury list with an illness and an eye condition that forced him to wear sunglasses for an indoor game at Mercedes Benz Stadium and a visor for the first time in his career. With Tyreek Hill and Darren Waller out, Jaylen Waddle stepped up after his exceptional performance last week, catching five balls for 99 yards and a TD. But it was really Miami’s commitment to running the game early — more runs than passes in the first half — with multiple heavy sets that set the tone for the day and results few likely saw coming. Mike McDaniel may not be off the hot seat, but it was as good a showing as the Dolphins have had this season.
- The Falcons’ hitting offense sank lower in Cousins’ first start of the season. After their emphatic win over the Bills in Week 6, the Falcons were the talk of the NFL. But the offense has floundered in the past two games since, including Sunday’s stinker against the Dolphins with Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London out. Kirk Cousins started his first game since December, but struggled with good pressure to gain 10-plus yards down the field. The Falcons trailed three times in their first five games, not including a knee down at halftime. Then, with the Dolphins taking a three-goal lead, the Falcons fumbled in the red zone and turned it over on downs at their 41-yard line, and that was a good night, Irene. Bijan Robinson coughed up the ball in the red zone, his first fumble of the season, as the Falcons got nothing going on the ground. They struggled to run the ball in previous losses to the Buccaneers and 49ers, but this was a new low. If Atlanta wants to get back into the playoffs, Penix will likely be needed again, but the entire operation has looked rough over the past eight quarters.
- The Dolphins defense was ready to play. Miami’s defense entered Sunday as one of the NFL’s worst units statistically, especially against the run, ranking 29th in yards per carry (5.21) and dead last in rushing yards allowed per game (159.3). But you wouldn’t have known it from watching this game, as Miami held the Falcons to 10 rushing yards in the first half and 45 for the game. With Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London from, it became easier for the Dolphins to sell out to stop the run. However, keeping a lid on Bijan Robinson (48 meters) is not an easy task. Lineman Jordyn Brooks made some big plays in the first half, including earning a sure safety. Jaelan Phillips and Brooks also helped provide enough pressure. The Dolphins only had one sack but kept the heat on Kirk Cousins during a tie game. They actually played pretty well defensively last week at Cleveland, but it got lost amid all the offensive mistakes. This time, Miami’s defense was rewarded with a blowout victory.
Next Gen Stats Insight for Dolphins-Falcons (via NFL Pro): Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle topped out at 21.35 mph on a 43-yard TD Sunday.
NFL Research: The Dolphins haven’t allowed a first quarter touchdown defensively in the last five games.