The Miami Dolphins entered Week 8 with a 1-6 record and a sense of doom surrounding everyone on the team. The hot seat underneath head coach Mike McDaniel had never been hotter, and the calls for a change were incessant. A team in disarray headed into Georgia to face the Atlanta Falcons.
The team that hit the field was not the same team that has played through the first seven weeks. Miami was efficient. They were effective. They were attacking. They were a complete team, making impacts on offense, defense, and special team. They leave Atlanta with their second win of the year and looking like a team who should be competing for a playoff spot.
It is probably too late for the Dolphins to actually make a run this season, but at least the team that was on the field on Sunday looked like a team that should be fun to watch the rest of the year.
Can they keep it up on Thursday when they open Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens?
Final Score
Dolphins 34 – 10 Falcons
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Dolphins first possession
Miami’s opening drive featured a deep pass attempt from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa toward running back De’Von Achane, but the running back was pushed out of bounds as he tried to make the reception leading to an incomplete pass. A run for one yard and a sack finished off the three-and-out possession.
That did not take long. Miami won the toss, electing to receive the opening kick, only to accomplish nothing. The sack came on a blitz with no one considering picking it up and Tagovailoa simply had to eat the ball. Tagovailoa is wearing a visor for the first time in his career as he deals with a swollen eye.
Falcons first possession
Atlanta picked up five yards on their drive on a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins, starting in place of the injured Michael Penix, Jr., to tight end Kyle Pitts, but they also were forced to punt on a three-and-out drive.
The defense came out quickly, with linebacker Bradley Chubb making an immediate tackle on a run from Bijan Robinson on first down, then linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Jaelan Phillips combining to stop Robinson for a one-yard loss. If the defense can bottle up the Falcons’ rushing attack, they may have a chance to stay in this game.
Dolphins second possession
The Dolphins’ second drive was much more effective than the previous possession, with Miami relying on the run game to attack the Falcons’ defense. Achane, rookie Ollie Gordon II, and Jaylen Wright all got involved in the ground game, with Tagovailoa throwing just four passes on the drive. Achane picked up 25 yards on the ground, while Gordon added 11 yards and Wright picked up seven yards on his first carry of the year. The drive ended with Tagovailoa throwing a pass to Achane coming out of the backfield, with the running back finding the endzone for a Miami lead.
A much better possession for the Dolphins, not just in this game, but over the last few games. The ground game is working, and working really well. Miami needs to stick with it. Keep rotating Achane, Gordon, and Wright, and run the ball down the Falcons’ throat until they prove they can stop it.
Dolphins 7-0.
Falcons second possession
The Falcons picked up 24 yards on a pass from Cousins to Pitts to start the drive, but Miami then forced them into a 4th-and-3 play. They picked up four yards on a pass to running back Tyler Allgeier, converting the first down and taking the clock to the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Falcons second possession (continued)
The Dolphins defense kept the momentum after the break, forcing a 3rd-and-1, with defensive tackle Zach Sieler shotting through the line to tackle Allgeier for a one-yard loss. The Falcons settled for a 45-yard field goal.
Okay defense, you are doing something now. Other than the 24 yard gain from Pitts, the Falcons could not find a lot of space and the defense made a stop when they needed it. Well done. Now it is time for the offense to add another touchdown and keep the pressure on Atlanta.
Dolphins 7-3.
Dolphins third possession
The offensive momentum for Miami did not make the jump into the second quarter. While they did pick up a first down with a 10-yard screen pass to Achane on the first play, a screen pass to fullback Alec Ingold, an Achane run for six yards, and an incomplete pass on 3rd-and-4 led to a Miami punt.
Not exactly the scoring drive needed – but the punt was perfectly done by Jake Bailey, who kicked the ball 49 yards with a 5.2 second hang time to force a fair catch at the eight-yard line. The Falcons were also called for unnecessary roughness after the play and they were backed up to the four-yard line.
Falcons third possession
Starting at the four-yard line, the Falcons just escaped a safety on the first play as Brooks drove through the line and pulled Allgeier down for a three-yard loss, just ahead of the goal line. Two more runs led to a three-and-out punt, with the kick only going 41 yards before wide receiver Malik Washington returned it nine yards to give Miami the ball in Atlanta territory.
Perfectly done by the special teams to start and end the drive, and perfectly done by the defense to stuff the Falcons. Miami is playing really well right now. Please say I did not just jinx it.
Dolphins fourth possession
Tagovailoa found Waddle for 22 yards on the opening drive, with the receiver looking like he braced for a big hit, but it did not come and he stumbled backwards to keep picking up yards. The drive only gained three more yards, however, and Miami settled for a 34-yard field goal from kicker Riley Patterson.
Points are points, but it would have been nice to use the great field position for a touchdown. The screen pass on third down was nearly a huge gain, with Miami having everything perfectly set, but the pass was tipped up in the air. It likely would have been intercepted if not for guard Jonah Savaiinaea, who had a nice pass break up.
Dolphins 10-3.
Falcons fourth possession
The Falcons began with a false start, backing them up five yards. After a 12-yard pass from Cousins to wide receiver David Sills V, Brooks broke through to sack Cousins for a five-yard loss. An incomplete pass on 3rd-and-8 led to an Atlanta punt.
A three-and-out again for the Dolphins defense, admittedly assisted by the penalty. Brooks is playing like a man possessed right now. The defense is getting after it and slowing down the Falcons in every aspect of the game.
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami started at their own 18-yard line with 4:40 remaining in the half. The opened the possession with an 18-yard pass to wide receiver Nik Westbrook-Ikhine. Three plays later, facing 3rd-and-3, Gordon broke out wide for an 11-yard gain, taking the clock to the two-minute warning. A facemask penalty on the Falcons negated a four-yard loss on a run attempt from Achane, with a nine-yard pass to the running back on the next play moving the ball to just outside the redzone with 1:17 to play. Using their timeouts perfectly, the Dolphins moved down to the Falcons’ nine-yard line with 18 seconds remaining. Tagovailoa threw a bullet to Washington at the goal line for the score.
Well done, Miami. Just a perfectly designed drive, using the ground game and the passing attack to keep the Falcons off balance. It is nice to have all of the timeouts when you need them. Gorgeous laser of a pass for the score from Tagovailoa. And, as Kevin Harlan keeps highlighting during the broadcast, Dolphins rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea is having a great game.
Dolphins 17-3.
Falcons fifth possession
The Falcons knelt to kill the clock after the kickoff.
Halftime Thoughts
The Dolphins are playing and playing well right now. They are committed to the run, they are effective in the air, the defense is attacking, and the special teams are making an impact. This is the Miami team we expected to see this year. It is good they finally decided to show up – now they have to keep it up in the second half.
Savaiinaea is having his best game as a professional. He seems to have figured something out, the game is slowing down for him, and he is creating space for Tagovailoa as well as the run game. If he keeps playing like this, he will start to show the potential that had Miami select him in the draft.
Brooks is a monster today. Sieler made an impact play. If Miami can get Sieler in rhythm, he should start to create chaos in the middle of the line that will open up lanes for the edge rushers.
This was a great first half, probably the best 30 minutes the Dolphins have put together this year. Keep it up in the second.
Third Quarter
Falcons sixth possession
A six-yard run from Robinson opened the half, but the Falcons did nothing else with the ball and punted on a three-and-out.
The Falcons offense looks like they are playing with a backup quarterback right now. The communication between Cousins and the receivers is off.
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami matched the Falcons’ three-and-out, repeating the start of the first half with back-t0-back punts from the two teams.
The Falcons stepped up to attack the run. Will Miami make an adjustment to the Atlanta adjustment?
Falcons seventh possession
Atlanta was gifted 39 yards on a defensive pass interference penalty on the opening snap of the drive, then saw Robinson pick up 17 yards on the next snap. The third play of the drive was another handoff to Robinson, but the running back knocked the ball out of his hand and the Dolphins were able to recover the loose ball.
Sometimes, being lucky is good – and the Dolphins were lucky there. Robinson hit himself with his knee as he was trying to make a cut, losing the ball. The pass interference was probably the right call, but the two players were hand fighting – cornerback Rasul Douglas just was the last one doing something and got flagged.
Dolphins seventh possession
After an incomplete pass to start the drive, Achane carried twice for eight yards. Gordon added five yards before a defensive pass interference penalty gave Miami a first down on a pass attempt to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, Jr. Tagovailoa threw to Washington on first down, with the receiver somehow slipping through a tackle and turning a short pass into a six-yard gain. Five plays later, on a 2nd-and-8 from the Atlanta 43-yard line, Tagovailoa threw to Waddle on a crossing route, with the receiver turning upfield to make an 11-yard pass into a 43-yard touchdown.
Where has that been? Seriously – the Waddle pass over the middle that turns into a huge gain has not been seen this year. That was so nice to see. Now do it more often, Miami. The Dolphins were systematic on that drive, taking what the defense would give them and kept up the pressure. Well done drive.
Dolphins 24-3.
Falcons eighth possession
Atlanta opened with two passes, picking up 21 yards. After that, however, two straight incomplete passes and a six-yard gain on a pass to Pitts set up 4th-and-4. Cousins was pressured by linebacker Chop Robinson on the play, forcing an early throw that fell incomplete. Miami took over on downs.
What a great stand from the defense. The Dolphins have turned the Falcons into a pass-only team and they are going to keep attacking.
Dolphins eighth possession
Miami started working the clock on their possession, turning primarily to the ground game. After a false start on the first play backed the Dolphins into a 1st-and-15, Gordon picked up three yards before taking what looked like another short run and gaining 13 yards for the first down. After a loss of two yards on a pass from Tagovailoa to Achane, the running back moved the ball back to the original line of scrimmage with a two-yard run. The clock ran out on the third quarter after the run.
Fourth quarter
Dolphins eighth possession (continued)
Achane gained 13 yards on the first play after the break, converting on the 3rd-and-10 try. After a loss of three yards on a run from Achane, Tagovailoa came back to the middle screen to Gordon, who turned up field and could have walked the 20 yards into the endzone.
The touchdown pass fooled the Falcons defense so badly, Savaiinaea was running alongside Gordon with no one to block. Miami is having a party today. It’s a great feeling – but they have to keep doing this on Thursday when they play the Baltimore Ravens.
Dolphins 31-3
Falcons ninth possession
The Falcons opened with a pass from Cousins to Pitts for five yards, then a pass to Robinson for four yards. Robinson added another three yards on a carry to convert the first down before the Dolphins defense shut down the Falcons, eventually forcing a turnover on downs when they tackled Pitts after a one-yard gain on 4th-and-8.
The Miami defense came in with a clear plan to attack the Falcons, and they have done it perfectly. Right now, the Falcons have 23 yards rushing on the day. That is it. They are averaging 1.8 yards per carry. Given the need to gain chunks of yards, the run game is just about out of the playbook for Atlanta. Miami has just stuffed them completely all day.
Dolphins ninth possession
Gaining possession and the Falcons’ 37-yard line, Miami opened the drive with an 18-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Waddle, moving the ball to the 19-yard line. A run for no gain, an incomplete pass, and a two-yard gain from Achane led to a 36-yard field goal.
With 11:04 remaining on the clock when the Dolphins started the possession, there is still too much time remaining for the team to go into full clock-eating mode, but they are getting close. Good drive, add points, and keep Falcons from being able to find hope on the day.
Dolphins 34-3.
Falcons tenth possession
Incomplete, six-yard pass, incomplete. Atlanta quickly faced a 4th-and-4, but they converted this attempt with a Cousins pass to KhaDarel Dodge for eight yards. An incomplete pass on a deep attempt down the sideline set up 2nd-and-10; a pass to wide receiver Casey Washington for 25 yards moved the Falcons into Miami territory, with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick injured on the tackle. Three plays later, on 3rd-and-3, the Falcons picked up 11 yards and gave themselves a 1st-and-Goal. A couple of run attempts later, Allgeier finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown.
The score means nothing – thought it would have been nice to keep them at three points. The concern is for cornerback Storm Duck, who injured his knee and was carted to the locker room, and Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins cannot afford injuries, especially to the secondary, yet they keep happening.
Dolphins 34-10.
Dolphins tenth possession.
Zach Wilson entered the game for Miami after the kickoff, ending an excellent day for Tagovailoa. Wright carried the ball three times to start the drive, with Miami clearly moving to their depth players as the game moves toward a Dolphins victory. The three carries picked up 11 yards to give Miami a first down, then he added another one-yard run to take the clock to the two-minute warning. Miami ran the ball three straight times after the stoppage, turning the ball over on downs, but continuing to run the clock.
The Dolphins have dominated so much, their starters are chilling on the sideline with almost five minutes to go in the game.
Falcons eleventh possession
The Falcons ran the ball twice to kill the clock.
