Miami Dolphins (0-0) vs. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Game Facts
DATE: Thursday, Aug. 8
TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET
SITE: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV: In Miami-Fort Lauderdale, WFOR-TV (CBS 4) and Dolphins.com; in Fort Myers, WBBH-TV; in West Palm Beach, WTVX-CW; in Orlando, WDRQ-TV
TV ANNOUNCERS: Dick Stockton, play-by-play; Bob Griese, analysis; Jason Taylor, analysis; Kim Bokamper, sideline
TV REPLAY: NFL Network, Friday, Aug. 9 at 5 a.m.
RADIO: Dolphins Radio Network, KISS 99.9 FM, WQAM 560 AM, WQBA 1140 AM (Spanish)
RADIO ANNOUNCERS: Jimmy Cefalo, play-by-play; Joe Rose, analysis; Roly Martin, play-by-play (Spanish); Eduardo Martell, analysis (Spanish)
NFL GAME PASS: Fans can watch live out-of-market preseason games and replays of every game as part of the NFL Game Pass package. For information, go to https://gamepass.nfl.com/packages.
The Series
SERIES RECORD: Dolphins leads 9-8
AT MIAMI: Teams tied 5-5
AT ATLANTA: Teams tied 3-3
AT ORLANDO: Dolphins lead 1-0
LAST MEETING: 2018 at Atlanta; Dolphins 34, Falcons 7
SERIES TREND: The Dolphins have won their past four preseason games against the Falcons, including the game last year when they produced their largest margin of victory in any preseason game since 1987.
HISTORY LESSON: This will be the fifth time the Dolphins open the preseason against the Falcons and the second time in three years. The Dolphins defeated Atlanta 23-20 on Aug. 10, 2017.
Scouting Report
LAST WEEK: Lost 14-10 vs. Denver in Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
OVERVIEW: The Falcons are looking to rebound in 2019 after finishing 7-9 in 2018 when a rash of injuries on defense derailed their goal of making the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Atlanta still has most of the key pieces from the 2016 team that lost the Super Bowl against New England after squandering a 28-3 second-half lead. That nucleus is highlighted by the tandem of quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones, along with running back Devonta Freeman and wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and 2018 first-round pick Calvin Ridley. In the 2019 draft, the Falcons focused on the offensive line, selecting guard Chris Lindstrom with the 14th pick and tackle Kaleb McGary with the 31st pick after making a trade to get a second first-round selection — McGary likely will miss the start of the regular season after recently undergoing heart surgery. The defense is led by linemen Takkarist McKinley and Grady Jarrett, and safety Damontae Kazee, who tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 2018 with Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard and Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller. Running back Brian Hill, who's hoping to land the job of backup to Freeman, had a strong performance for the Falcons offense as he rushed for 57 yards on 11 carries and caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Benkert. Benkert sustained a foot injury in the game and has been placed on injured reserve.
KEY NEW FACES: G Chris Lindstrom (draft-1st round), T Kaleb McGary (draft-1st), G James Carpenter (N.Y. Jets), TE Luke Stocker (Tennessee), DE Adrian Clayborn (New England), S J.J. Wilcox (Indianapolis), DE Allen Bailey (Kansas City), LB Stephone Anthony (Miami)
KEY VETERANS GONE: RB Tevin Coleman, CB Robert Alford, DL Brooks Reed, T Ryan Schraeder, S Jordan Richards, K Matt Bryant
