They were 31st in the NFL last year in run D and I don't believe they did much to bolster it. Week 1 they played a total passing team in the Saints. Week 2 they were up huge on the Rams for most of the game, meaning Bradford was forced to pass 55 times. If we were able to run against the Colts on the road, we should be able to at home vs ATL.
I like this too. Some wise clock management to cool off and sit ATL's receiving corps would be great. Even as going as far on time management as the last time we played IND when they had PM. We controlled the clock for like 45 mins that game. Like to see something along those lines, but WIN this time!
I have my concerns about this game. We really don't have a home field advantage, so we just have to hope the team shows up and fires on all cylinders. They have major receiving targets and matching up may be an issue for us. We have to rattle Ryan, and knock him around. We beat the crap out of the Colts WRs, and I think it took its toll. But you're not going to toss around AGon and Jones. Its hard to know how good we are at this point, but I am hopeful going into Sunday!
Its a dome team coming banged up, to hot and humid as hell Miami. (Yes the weather is still brutal at 4 PM) There's our advantage.
I hope we go up tempo no huddle to wear them out in the heat. Seems like Sherm and Philbin abandoned that though. In the first training camp we were doing what Chip Kelly does with the fast lining up, every 15 seconds. Seems like they scrapped the philosophy. Disappointingly.
Love four o'clock kickoffs, fans have a much better energy level then, and there are more folks in their seats at intro time.. I wish The dolphins would release some statements urging fans to be loud and on time.. Seahawk fans just got that offense of the niners so flustered they scored points by safety. Sure would be nice for our team to p,ay with some real outside energy besides that of the self generated kind.
still 47 rushes for an average of 3.3 yards is probably better than 31st right now and to me it doesn´t matter who they played, we can´t change that, its on tape
The last two times we played Atlanta we lost; 2005 @Miami 10-17 2009 @Atlanta 19-7 I believe we're a much better team than the last times we faced Atlanta, especially defensively but let's be honest, Atlanta was in the NFC Championship game last year and has demonstrated they can put up offensive numbers against potent defenses (lost 28-24 v SF in NFC Champ). It's still early in the season and as was pointed out earlier, Atlanta may still be knocking off the rust, so to draw Atlanta now is actually to our benefit. Hopefully we'll have the defense dialed up to have Matt Ryan running for his life. Offensively, we're going to have to take a page out of the playbook in our previous game against Indianapolis (I believe it was) when we exercised ball control, winning time of possession 45:00-15:00 and keeping Peyton Manning on the bench (Damn how I hate Peyton for still being able to beat us like that!). If we have a BALANCED attack and can actually RUN the ball, put together long sustained drives resulting in touchdowns, the defense will be fresh enough to get in there and get after Ryan but the key though is going to be getting the ball into the endzone. Fields goals aren't going to cut it, not when you have a player like Ryan who has a receiver like Jones. I truly believe we can do this, but the fans of Miami are going to have to do their part as well. We need to erase the comical "Miami 'Who's Who of Celebrity' at Home Games" history that became prevalent in recent years. The fans need to pack the stadium and make Miami as hostile an environment to play in as it is in Seattle! We're coming into our home opener 2-0. That's 2 road wins to start the season and that's only twice in the history of the Dolphins; 2010 and 1977. We lost that 2010 home opener against the Jets. Let's not repeat the 2010 season home opener; let's repeat the 1977 season home opener instead! If I wasn't in this hellhole called Afghanistan, I'd be there at the home opener. Can we win against Atlanta? I believe we can. We're 7-5 lifetime against Atlanta with Atlanta winning the last two, but those last two meetings weren't really blowouts. We're upgraded offensively and we're upgraded defensively. It's THIS game right here in which the entire attitude within the NFL needs to be altered from "The Dolphins better watch out for..." to "(Team Name) better watch out for the Dolphins"!
Regardless of the tempo, I look for them to start fast, and score early. An all too familiar matchup that last year, we would have fought tooth and nail to the end, but ultimately fall short in either the last couple seconds, or last couple points. The team we have this year otoh, appears a few seconds faster, and more than a few points better.
I really hope the heat is going to be a big factor against this dome team. We can stay close until the 4th quarter we can win. Were going to have to get much more pressure on Ryan than we did Luck. We need another fast start.
The line in Vegas at this time is the Dolphins favored by one and a half points. That says a lot about the respect these first two wins have gained the Dolphins around the nation. Going into the season, it was thought that the only game the Dolphins would be favored in during their first five games was their game against the Browns. I think it will be another close game for the Dolphins, with them again pulling it out in the second half. Dolphins 31- Falcons 27.
Actually because of daylight savings time, the sun is really at three o'clock. The hours between two o'clock and five o'clock tend to be the hottest time here in South Florida. So the Falcons will get plenty of the South Florida heat and humidity, even with a late kick off. With a LOUD crowd and the heat from the sun and the Dolphins defense and offense, hopefully this will be enough to send the Falcons home a loser.
It will be fun either way and damn how the language has changed around here. Most had us having a slow start. The possibility of going 3-0 to start the season is great! I live in Mass and let me tell you for the last 10 years or so i have dreaded both Pats games but now i am looking forward to them.If they can manage to win against the Falcons or Saints the Ravens game goes from a must win to a bonus win. Could it actually be possible that the Miami Dolphins with a bye week and then Buffalo and the Pats would actually look past a team? I was very impressed with the change of the theme of the team. Its not the final score of the Colts that impresses me or that we got the win period its the teams actions on the final drive. Taking the TO's to win the game instead of just figuring they are going to score anyways. They are playing to win. The Pats managed to pull out 2 close wins and i see the same ability on this team now.
I think we win for a couple reasons. A) Atlanta can't pass rush. Only 2 sacks this season so far. Should give our OL a bit of a break. B) They have lost a lot of starters recently. We get to catch them while they are banged up. C) 27th ranked defense. 29th vs the pass. But the key for us is getting back at least Patterson healthy.
Another big reason is the fact they have played both games in a dome on turf. Now they have to come down to Miami with the heat and humidity and play on grass. I'm still terrified of their receivers though, especially if the the secondary is still as banged up. Can't have Jimmy Wilson in the slot again all game. I also expect the pass rush to be much better this week, Ryan isn't as much of a running threat so the DL doesn't have to contain as much. Overall I think we need to score over 30 to win this week.
Jimmy Wilson on Wayne was scary... I definitely hope for a healthy Patterson. I'm with you guys saying this is a really tough matchup. They are a really physical team. That being said, if the Dolphins wish to be a factor this season, they gotta hang with the big dogs. Ryan will be much easier to locate than Luck, who is like a young Culpepper. I say we pull out a squeaker for the home opener, 27-24.
Here is their depth chart for the Rams game, subject to change obviously. OFFENSE WR 11 Julio Jones, 83 Harry Douglas, 15 Kevin Cone LT 72 Sam Baker, 73 Ryan Schraeder, 65 Jeremy Trueblood LG 63 Justin Blalock, 69 Harland Gunn C 66 Peter Konz, 61 Joe Hawley RG 75 Garrett Reynolds, 69 Harland Gunn RT 76 Lamar Holmes, 73 Ryan Schraeder, 65 Jeremy Trueblood TE 88 Tony Gonzalez, 86 Chase Coffman, 80 Levine Toilolo WR 84 Roddy White, 19 Drew Davis QB 2 Matt Ryan, 4 Dominique Davis RB 39 Steven Jackson, 32 Jacquizz Rodgers, 44 Jason Snelling, 35 Antone Smith, 30 Josh Vaughan FB 34 Bradie Ewing DEFENSE RE 50 Osi Umenyiora, 96 Jonathan Massaquoi, 99 Stansly Maponga DT 91 Corey Peters, 94 Peria Jerry DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 92 Travian Robertson LE 71 Kroy Biermann, 98 Cliff Matthews, 93 Malliciah Goodman OLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon, 59 Joplo Bartu MLB 52 Akeem Dent, 55 Paul Worrilow OLB 54 Stephen Nicholas, 59 Joplo Bartu CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 27 Robert McClain CB 22 Asante Samuel, 23 Robert Alford, 24 Dominique Franks S 25 William Moore, 41 Zeke Motta S 28 Thomas DeCoud, 29 Shann Schillinger, 36 Kemal Ishmael SPECIALISTS K 3 Matt Bryant KO 5 Matt Bosher P 5 Matt Bosher KR 32 Jacquizz Rodgers PR 83 Harry Douglas, 23 Robert Alford LS 47 Josh Harris H 5 Matt Bosher
well atlanta fans haven't seen a lot of our team this season, ignorant again for the most part.... http://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3985531-just-watched-the-miaind-091513-game/
I love our receivers in this game, love them. With little pass rush and maybe two rookie CBs covering Hartline and Wallace, this looks like a huge mismatch. Even with a passrush this is a mismatch. Clay, if he continues to play this well he will have a field day in this game as well because the middle of the fidl will be open. Gibson could also have a huge game going against their 4th corner if Samuel is out. Just on offence I love our matchup. I really do. If we can create balance that will kill them by the 4th quarter in the sun. I think we break out the hurry up this game in the sun as well. On defence I can not wait to see our dline going after a stationary target like Ryan. White and Jones are going to be tough matchups for us but if we can get pressure on Ryan and press the receivers, it could be a long day for Ryan. 3-0, lets do this.
Seems like they anticipate that we are not the better team. I don't completely disagree with them. Atlanta is the best team we've played, by far, this year and a real test. The thing is, they appear to be pretty beat up, which may give us an edge. I think beating this team is one of those times where we have to be on our A game in every aspect. I don't think we can keep up with them in a shoot out... It's a given that Gonzo will have a field day, based on what we allowed TEs to do so far. That can be overcome if we can a) control their run game and b) come away with a takeaway or three and c) Tanny and the O can continue to do what they've done so far, move the ball, score points and not give the ball away... It'll also help if Patterson is back and healthy enough, although Carroll has played worse than he has the last two weeks... If nothing more, we'll benefit by keeping Wilson off the field... Thing to remember is to not get too conservative or high and mighty if we are ahead by a score or two at the half. They've made a living coming back against teams...
We'll be fine. People are up in arms using an annual fight against the Saints as the picture they want to paint of this team. We are a talented team. We will beat the Dolphins handily. Their offense is only average with Wallace being the only real threat. Not much of a running game. Hartline can beat you if you don't have a good #2 corner but we have 3 that can cover him easily.
This is going to be a war ! I hope our guys are ready. Please no rain - the hotter and more humid the better I like our chances. Lets see how injuries play out this week for them, we might have gotten real lucky to face them this week. No shoot out here - I definately don't see either team reaching 30 without significant turnover help or amazing special team play.
Every team has their homers and if that is the best trash talk they can muster then they seriously need to up their game. I agree though about them not being real familiar with us when they suggest Jordan is a major part of our defense ... he played all of 7 snaps on defense this past week per Barry Jackson
I don't want to think about Dion this week - Personal Foul in week 1....and I guess he forgot we were playing tackle football in week 2?? Solid two-hand touch play though....atta boy DION.
its official FB Bradie Ewing with a shoulder and DE Kroy Bierman with an achilles injury are both out for the season, bierman is a huge loss for them, imo, high motor guy
Grimes and Clabo have something to prove and want to make a statement. Miller's 1st game at home as a featured back. I see a 100 yarder from him. Atlanta is good but they seem old as a team to me. Need to bring the heat, I wasn't too pleased how Indy kept Wake under wraps. I expect more blitzing schemes and the D line to have a good game. Guaranteed I will keep at least one section of the Dolphins sideline loud and into the game. I would have preferred a 1:00 start. We keep handing over our homefield advantage in September. Dress them in black and watch the birds fry. Just some thoughts.....
LOL - Hey atleast he got there, he came free on that stunt and I was yelling "ROCK HIM DION............... WAIT HUH." It looked like he was in practice mode - "Can't hit the QB" Duhdumde Dum.
You're not the only one that does this, including ESPN etc.....but honestly.....there is not one thing you said quoted that matters at all once the ball is kicked Sunday. There is probably little or NO players on the same teams from the previous meetings, and it's meaningless on what our record is from 10-20-30 years ago games.....Not attacking you personally, just think its a waste of time.
One thing is for sure, IF we should beat the Fulcons, I'll bet we see all the talking heads start to change their opinion of this team and what it's capabilities are. And IF the pasties should struggle against the Bucs...We'll begin to be the darlings of the media... But all those things have to happen first...
