The Atlanta Falcons welcome a Miami Dolphins side in disarray to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday.
The Falcons, who go into the game on the back of a 20-10 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, are looking to improve on their 3-3 record.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr’s availability has been the main talking point in the build-up to the game.
Penix Jr. is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee suffered last week against the 49ers, so veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to take the reins.
Miami, on the other hand, are in an extremely tough spot. The Dolphins sit 1-6 after a humiliating defeat to the Cleveland Browns last week.
Questions have been asked about the future of both quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Mike McDaniel.
The Dolphins’ dismal situation was not helped when star wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a torn ACL in Week 4.
Time for some consistency
Inconsistency has been the story of the Falcons’ season.
While they sit 3-3, fans already have their eyes on their rivals, the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The two sides both sit above Atlanta in the NFC South.
It is absolutely crucial that some consistency is put together ahead of what will be a vital second round of divisional games.
With Miami freefalling, there is no better place to start.
McCloud’s exit leaves Falcons short
The Falcons sent Ray Ray McCloud III home last week, and now the wide receiver has been released outright.
While head coach Raheem Morris stated that it was not necessarily disciplinary issues, it is thought to have been the case.
It does mean that the Falcons are light in the wide receiver pool, especially with Darnell Mooney’s injury record this season.
With Penix Jr. absent and a weakened wide receiver core, fans can expect the running game to be heavily implemented this evening.
Running back Bijan Robinson is having the season of his career, while Tyler Allgeier has also chipped in with some important carries and touchdowns.
Tale of the tape
Quarterbacks: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) | Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)
WR1 and WR2: Drake London (ATL), Darnell Mooney (ATL) | Jaylen Waddle (MIA), Malik Washington (MIA)
Running backs: Bijan Robinson (ATL) | De’Von Achane (MIA)
Head Coach: Raheem Morris (ATL) | Mike McDaniels (MIA)
Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson (ATL) | Frank Smith (MIA)
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Ulbrich (ATL) | Anthony Weaver (MIA)
2024 Record: Atlanta Falcons (8-9) | Miami Dolphins (8-9)
2025 Round 1 pick(s): Jalen Walker (ATL), James Pearce (ATL) | Kenneth Grant (MIA)
Previous result: Atlanta Falcons 30-28 Miami Dolphins
