Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 7 Preview

The Dolphins will be at home this weekend to take on Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. This is after a two-game stretch that involved Miami traveling to Jacksonville and across the pond to London, as they were a part of the NFL international series. It should be refreshing for the Dolphins to finally be home after a long road trip. This seems to be a pretty close game on paper, Caesars Sports book has Atlanta being favored by less than a touchdown. This article will preview this matchup between the Miami Dolphins vs. the Atlanta Falcons.

Miami has been ravaged with Injuries within the receiving core

DeVante Parker and Preston Williams were both sidelined for last in weeks game against the Jaguars in London. Parker, who has been a playmaker all year in Miami has been dealing with a shoulder and a hamstring injury. Furthermore, Williams is suffering from a groin injury. Not to mention that tight end Adam Shaheen who is another prominent pass catcher on this Dolphins team is dealing with knee issues. These players need to be healthy for the Fins to have more success as the season goes on. Parker is the best receiver on this Dolphins offense and has made game-changing catches that put Miami in positions to score. The men from south beach need to focus on getting these players healthy for this game, so they can end this dreadful losing skid.

The rushing attack is still non-existent

The running backs in Miami are getting very little work rushing the ball. They have been primarily used as receivers out in the flat, which has been working for them. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is still dealing with his rib injury and could use some help from the running backs. Malcolm Brown was the leading rusher for 24 yards, while Gaskin only had nine yards against Jacksonville. This does not all fall on the running backs. The O-line has not been able to protect the quarterback, which in turn also affects the rushing attack as they can not create holes for the running backs.

Key players that need to produce in this game against the Falcons

As said above, if Parker and Williams are not able to go, then it’s the next man up in South Beach. This means Jaylen Waddle needs to be on top of his game and find ways to create separation from the defenders. If he manages to do that, then the Dolphins will for sure get some explosive plays from him.  Another player that has really stood last week in London was Mike Gesicki. Tagovailoa and Gesicki seem to have great chemistry and are usually on the right page. Dolphins fans did not see Gesicki produce as much with Jacoby Brissett as quarterback.

Photo courtesy of Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, the whole offensive line needs to step up big time. As said before they are getting very little push on the line and Tagovailoa is running for life a lot of the time. If these players have good games then Miami should have a great shot winning this matchup.

Falcons players to watch out for

Matt Ryan is first and foremost is a player to keep in check. He is the voice of this Falcons offense. The veteran quarterback is usually very accurate and can pick apart lapses in the defense. Furthermore, the best strategy to thwart Ryan would be to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. This will rest in the hands of the defensive line. Emanuel Ogbah and Christian Wilkins have been great this year in creating pressure and forcing turnovers. This duo in South Beach will need to keep doing the same in this game against Atlanta. Kyle Pitts is also another player that the Dolphins need to weary about. He is coming off his best game of the season against the Jets, as he had his first 100-yard receiving day in the NFL. It will be important for the defense to lock Pitts down in this game and halt his momentum from the previous week.

This Miami Dolphins vs. the Atlanta Falcons matchup is a toss-up. Both of these teams have been inconsistent the past couple of weeks. This game will come down to the team who will make fewer mistakes in the penalty and turnover department. Time will only tell which team will come up on top Sunday afternoon in Miami.

Photo courtesy of Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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