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ATLANTA
MIAMI |
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Final
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| 409 | ATLANTA | 43 | 46 | | 410 | MIAMI | -1.5 | -3 |
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| All Games | 1-1 | 0 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 24.0 | 17.0 | 380.0 | (6.8) | 1.0 | 23.5 | 8.0 | 420.0 | (6.1) | 1.0 | | Road Games | 0-1 | -1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 17.0 | 10.0 | 367.0 | (7.1) | 2.0 | 23.0 | 13.0 | 419.0 | (6.5) | 1.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-1 | 0 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 24.0 | 17.0 | 380.0 | (6.8) | 1.0 | 23.5 | 8.0 | 420.0 | (6.1) | 1.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 24.0 | 17.0 | 18.5 | 27:33 | 15-62 | (4.1) | 29-40 | 71.6% | 318 | (7.9) | 55-380 | (6.8) | (15.8) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 21.5 | 12.8 | 19 | 28:29 | 22-92 | (4.2) | 23-36 | 65.0% | 263 | (7.4) | 58-356 | (6.1) | (16.5) | | Offense Road Games | 17.0 | 10.0 | 18.0 | 24:49 | 14-88 | (6.3) | 25-38 | 65.8% | 279 | (7.3) | 52-367 | (7.1) | (21.6) | | Defense (All Games) | 23.5 | 8.0 | 21.0 | 32:27 | 23-73 | (3.1) | 29-45 | 64.4% | 346 | (7.7) | 68-420 | (6.1) | (17.9) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.5 | 9 | 20.8 | 32:31 | 23-72 | (3.2) | 28-44 | 63.8% | 322 | (7.4) | 66-394 | (6) | (17.5) | | Defense Road Games | 23.0 | 13.0 | 18.0 | 35:11 | 29-78 | (2.7) | 26-35 | 74.3% | 341 | (9.7) | 64-419 | (6.5) | (18.2) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 12-5 | 41.7% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-8 | (17) | 2-12 | (6.2) | 4-36 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 13-6 | 43.1% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-20 | (20.5) | 6-2 | (3.7) | 6-64 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -1.0 | 11-3 | 27.3% | 1-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 2-21 | (10.5) | 2-19 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | | 15-6 | 43.3% | 1-1 | 66.7% | 1-24 | (24) | 4-6 | (1.6) | 6-55 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.8 | | 14-6 | 40.0% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 2-29 | (19.5) | 4-2 | (1.6) | 6-51 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | | 13-6 | 46.2% | 1-0 | 0.0% | 1-23 | (23) | 4-7 | (1.7) | 6-57 |
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| All Games | 2-0 | +2.2 | 2-0 | 1-1 | 23.5 | 11.5 | 336.5 | (5.5) | 1.0 | 15.0 | 12.0 | 369.5 | (5.5) | 2.0 | | Last 3 Games | 2-0 | +2.2 | 2-0 | 1-1 | 23.5 | 11.5 | 336.5 | (5.5) | 1.0 | 15.0 | 12.0 | 369.5 | (5.5) | 2.0 | | Grass Games | 1-0 | +1.2 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 23.0 | 6.0 | 275.0 | (4.5) | 1.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 291.0 | (4.4) | 3.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 23.5 | 11.5 | 19.5 | 31:06 | 25-60 | (2.4) | 23-36 | 65.3% | 276 | (7.7) | 61-336 | (5.5) | (14.3) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 19.5 | 7.5 | 19.5 | 31:24 | 30-98 | (3.3) | 22-34 | 65.7% | 238 | (7.1) | 63-335 | (5.3) | (17.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 15.0 | 12.0 | 21.5 | 28:53 | 19-90 | (4.6) | 25-48 | 53.1% | 279 | (5.8) | 67-369 | (5.5) | (24.6) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 14.2 | 11 | 18.5 | 29:36 | 21-93 | (4.4) | 23-39 | 58.3% | 225 | (5.8) | 60-318 | (5.3) | (22.3) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 15-7 | 46.7% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-48 | (32.3) | 1-3 | (2.3) | 5-38 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 15-7 | 49.2% | 0-0 | 50.0% | 1-36 | (28.8) | 14-2 | (7.9) | 5-42 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | | 14-4 | 27.6% | 2-1 | 40.0% | 2-65 | (26.2) | 2-23 | (11.7) | 6-35 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1 | 0 | 1 | | 14-4 | 33.3% | 2-0 | 25.0% | 2-44 | (25) | 22-2 | (9.9) | 5-34 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: ATLANTA 22, MIAMI 16.5 |
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| 9/8/2013 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 17-23 | L | 3.5 | L | 53.5 | U | 14-88 | 25-38-279 | 2 | 29-78 | 26-35-341 | 1 | | 9/15/2013 | ST LOUIS | 31-24 | W | -4 | W | 48 | O | 16-36 | 33-43-357 | 0 | 18-69 | 32-55-352 | 1 | | 9/22/2013 | @ MIAMI | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/29/2013 | NEW ENGLAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/7/2013 | NY JETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/20/2013 | TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/8/2013 | @ CLEVELAND | 23-10 | W | 2.5 | W | 40.5 | U | 23-20 | 24-38-255 | 1 | 13-47 | 26-53-244 | 3 | | 9/15/2013 | @ INDIANAPOLIS | 24-20 | W | 1.5 | W | 43.5 | O | 27-101 | 23-34-297 | 1 | 26-133 | 25-43-315 | 1 | | 9/22/2013 | ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/30/2013 | @ NEW ORLEANS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/6/2013 | BALTIMORE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/20/2013 | BUFFALO | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | ATLANTA: Atlanta finally transitioned to a pass-first offense in offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's first year, though with new No. 1 back Steven Jackson replacing over-the-hill Michael Turner, they at least have the threat of a running game now. Koetter brought in more zone looks, and they should continue to move away from the man blocking of past regimes. Jackson can play three downs, but they may be careful with his workload to keep him fresh for the playoffs. They trust No. 2 back Jacquizz Rodgers in the passing game and on some runs out of spread looks, and they'll rotate Jason Snelling in as well.
The biggest addition Koetter made to the passing game was more bubble screens, which proved to be one of their best weapons. They use a lot of motion to create mismatches and effectively use bunch formations for added confusion. Roddy White remains Matt Ryan's favorite target, while Julio Jones is frequently used either downfield, or on those bubble screens. Ryan's second look is usually for TE Tony Gonzalez up the seam. Atlanta gets more balanced in the red zone, and that should hold true with Jackson replacing Turner as the red zone and goal line back.
The Falcons are hoping disgruntled DE Osi Umenyiora seriously helps a pass rush that totaled nine sacks in the second half of the year. Atlanta ranked 24th in yards allowed last season (366 YPG), but forced 31 turnovers (T-4th in NFL), including a dozen in the final five games. Atlanta departed with veteran DE John Abraham and CBs Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson, but the secondary is still loaded with FS Thomas DeCoud (6 INT), CB Asante Samuel (5 INT) and rookie CB Desmond Trufant. The front seven has questions, but both top tacklers, LBs Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas, are now healthy. | | MIAMI: More than last season, this year's Miami offense figures to more closely resemble the one head coach Joe Philbin was a part of in Green Bay. Expect a lot more running out of spread looks, as the Dolphins have the personnel to line up three- and four-wide and let speedy slasher Lamar Miller stick his foot in the ground and get upfield. Miller is set to get a true No. 1 workload behind a zone-blocking line. Daniel Thomas is the No. 2 but spends a lot of time in the doghouse.
The Dolphins are largely a West Coast offense, but they'll be able to stretch the field more this season. Both Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline are capable of big plays downfield, and Wallace will be used often as a catch-and-run threat as well. TE Dustin Keller will play a lot of reps and should be their primary target in the middle of the field. Brandon Gibson figures to return to strictly slot duties, as his skill set is similar to that of the departed Davone Bess. The Dolphins use their backs as receivers often, and both Miller and Thomas are capable receivers. The Dolphins figure to remain relatively run-heavy in the red zone, especially after losing top red zone target Anthony Fasano.
The Dolphins finished seventh in scoring defense despite not forcing a turnover in seven of their final nine games. They moved up to draft DE Dion Jordan to line up opposite star DE Cameron Wake (15 sacks), and are banking on both CBs Brent Grimes (Achilles) and Richard Marshall (back) to be injury-free. Miami released ILBs Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett, and spent big on MLB Dannell Ellerbe (92 tackles, 69 solos with Ravens), giving him to a 5-year, $35M deal, and then grabbed SLB Philip Wheeler (109 tackles, 78 solos with Raiders) and inked him to $26M over five years. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (ATLANTA-MIAMI) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(UPDATES with Falcons LT Baker out)
*Falcons-Dolphins Preview* ==========================
By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer
The undefeated Miami Dolphins are confident, yet cautious, knowing that sustaining their early success likely won't be easy over the next three games.
Seeking their best start in more than a decade, the Dolphins face the banged-up Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in their home opener.
Miami is looking to open 3-0 for the first time since 2002, and when it most recently started 2-0 in 2010, it finished 7-9. Prior to this year, the Dolphins were 5-18 in September over the past seven seasons. They've had only one winning season in that span, so it's understandable if the team is cautiously optimistic going forward.
"It's only two games," Miami cornerback and former Falcon Brent Grimes said. "But we played well and got two road wins to start the season, which is a big deal, and we showed a lot of promise of things we can do if we keep our heads on straight."
That humble and levelheaded attitude could be essential for the Dolphins, who face expected playoff contenders Atlanta (1-1), New Orleans and Baltimore in consecutive weeks.
"Any time you start 2-0 it's a confidence builder," linebacker Philip Wheeler said, "and we're going to feel like we can beat anybody."
Miami already proved that with last Sunday's 24-20 victory over an Indianapolis team which made the playoffs last season and hadn't lost a home game in nearly a year.
Ryan Tannehill was 23 of 34 for 319 yards and a touchdown to Mike Wallace, who matched a career high with nine receptions for 115. The high-priced receiver was in a better mood than the previous week when he pouted after catching one ball in a 23-10 win at Cleveland in his Dolphins debut.
Tannehill is expected to play despite being limited in practice by a sore shoulder.
A Miami run game limited to 20 yards against the Browns totaled 101 last week, including 69 and a touchdown on 14 carries from Lamar Miller.
"You have to stay true to the film," coach Joe Philbin said. "The film tells us from Sunday's game we did a lot of good things. But the film also says there are major areas of improvement that need to be addressed quickly. I think our guys are levelheaded and know film is the biggest barometer of success."
Philbin's team understands the amount of preparation it needs to face the Falcons, who are still extremely potent despite being hit hard by injuries through the first two weeks.
Most notably missing will be running back Steven Jackson, who scored his first touchdown with Atlanta and also injured his thigh during last Sunday's 31-24 win over St. Louis.
"He will not play this week. I know that," coach Mike Smith said. "It is short term. When I say short term, I don't know if it's two weeks or three weeks."
Atlanta also lost fullback Bradie Ewing (shoulder) and defensive end Kroy Biermann (Achilles) for the season, and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (foot) for a minimum of eight weeks. Starting left tackle Sam Baker (knee, foot) also has been ruled out for this game, and a thigh injury could sideline cornerback Asante Samuel.
"We've not had anything close to this," Smith said about the rash of injuries. "There have been games where we've had guys who have not been able to play and it's been the next-man up mentality and I think that's really what our guys understand."
While Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling are expected to share the running back duties, slowing down Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez presents the biggest challenge to the Dolphins defense.
Jones ranks among the NFL leaders with 18 receptions and 258 yards. He caught 11 for 182 against the Rams, including an 81-yard TD from Ryan.
"Julio and Matt seemed to be in sync, seeing the defense the same way," Smith said. "When you have your receiver and quarterback doing that, you have a chance to be successful."
Ryan, 33 of 43 for 374 yards with two touchdowns last week, is second in the league in completion percentage at 71.6.
Gonzalez has been targeted 14 times in two games while catching seven passes for 69 yards and a TD. He could be in for a big performance against the Dolphins, who have allowed a combined 13 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns to young tight ends Jordan Cameron of Cleveland and Coby Fleener of Indianapolis.
Atlanta won the last two meetings with Miami, most recently 19-7 at home in 2009. Ryan threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Gonzalez, who finished with five receptions for 73 yards.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/20/2024 2:40:56 AM EST. |
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