Falcons Game Day: Miami Dolphins
The Falcons are going camping in Orlando for a preview of the regular season…
The Falcons are 2-0 in preseason games completed mostly by backup and reserve roster hopefuls. A first and historically only, true preview of the team the Falcons will field for the regular season typically takes place in game three. The majority of starters for both teams will likely play an entire half, if not into the third quarter, on Thursday night. Falcons game day number three should continue providing answers for the upcoming regular season, with a match-up against the Dolphins set for 8:00pm EDT.
The last time these two teams faced off was during Week 3 of the preseason a year ago. The Dolphins defeated Atlanta, 13-9, behind two fourth quarter Andrew Franks’ field goals.
Miami and Atlanta have met 14 other times in the preseason but Thursday’s game in Orlando at Camping World Stadium will be the first not in either home city. The Falcons lead the preseason series 8-6. In the first true “dress rehearsal” of the preseason, fans will get a glimpse at the 2016 version of Atlanta and what to expect as the regular season approaches.
2016 SEASON: 2-0, ATL at 1-1, MIA (Third Preseason Game)
2015 SEASON: 8-8, ATL at 6-10, MIA
LAST MEETING: 13-9, MIA – Aug. 29, 2015 *Preseason
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KEY MATCH-UP: ATL RED ZONE PERFORMANCE
Quarterback Matt Ryan and the first team offense responded last week from their dismal portrayal during the preseason opener. With the offense back on track and gearing up for the regular season, Coach Dan Quinn is focusing on specific performances for game three. Red zone struggles haunted the Falcons last year and Coach Quinn is expecting a better performance, not just on Thursday, but throughout the 2016 season.
During the first two games Atlanta scored touchdowns on three of six drives entering the red zone. “I want that number to be up,” Quinn said Tuesday. But the focus hasn’t necessarily fallen completely on the offense. “Defensively, we’ve let them down there three times, and they’ve scored twice. So that’s an area of emphasis heading into the game. Can we play better red zone ball?”
The first half should be telling of what the season has in store for Atlanta, at least initially. However, once the second half begins the competition will heat up between players on their own teams as they try to earn roster positions. The initial round of cuts is scheduled prior to Tuesday, August 30th at 4:00pm, when the NFL roster must be down to 75 players. Improvement was shown last week and a continued pace should garner another victory for Atlanta as they continue preparations for the regular season opener.
TV: NBC
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