Miami closed out the preseason with a 17-12 loss to Atlanta on Friday evening at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Falcons got on the scoreboard first. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. for 37 yards, setting the Falcons up at Miami's 13-yard line. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. punched it in from there to end Atlanta's opening drive with a touchdown.
Although they did not find the end zone, Miami's offense showed promise early in the first quarter. Quarterback Cam Miller connected with wide receiver Jalen Tolbert for 19 yards before rookie wideout Chris Bell added an 18-yard reception to help move the Dolphins into field goal range, where kicker Riley Patterson put Miami on the board with a 46 yarder to make the score 7-3.
Atlanta's next possession was cut short when inside linebacker Willie Gay Jr. recovered a fumbled snap, giving Miami the ball at the Falcons' 42-yard line. The Dolphins were unable to capitalize as the series ended after four plays and a blocked 56-yard field goal attempt.
Atlanta's offense was back on the move, but their progress was halted by another turnover when Robinson Jr. fumbled and inside linebacker Jackson Woodard recovered to give the Dolphins possession at their own 13-yard line.
Both sides traded punts to open the second quarter. Quarterback Cooper Rush then led Atlanta on a 12-play, pass-heavy march downfield, capped by a touchdown pass to tight end Jack Velling to extend Atlanta's lead to 14-3. Miami responded with a 46-yard kick return from wide receiver Jalen Reagor and drove deeper into Atlanta territory with a 16-yard pass to wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. The drive was ultimately stalled by incompletions, ending in a 45-yard field goal from Patterson.
Atlanta added another field goal before halftime after a 31-yard completion to Tyler Goodson moved them into scoring range, sending both teams into the locker room with the Falcons leading 17-6.
Edge Seth Coleman-Lyles and defensive lineman Matthew Butler split a sack to open the second half, driving Atlanta quarterback Jack Strand back for a loss of 6 yards. Mark Gronowski then stepped in under center and led Miami on a productive series, highlighted by back-to-back 33 and 19-yard completions to Marshall Jr. and Tolbert, respectively. Miami pushed up to Atlanta's 1-yard line but was unable to punch it in, resulting in Patterson's third field goal of the night to narrow the gap to 17-9.
On the next drive, Gronowski led the Dolphins from Miami's 28 up to Atlanta's 6-yard line, picking up five first downs and 28 rushing yards on the way. A fumbled snap recovered by Atlanta ended the possession.
Following a pair of punts, Miles Battle came up with an interception to give Miami another opportunity. After starting at Atlanta's 19, Patterson converted a 37-yard kick to make it a one-score game at 17-12.
Gronowski finished 4-of-8 (50 pct.) for 97 passing yards. Running back Carlos Washington Jr. led on the ground with 13 carries for 34 yards, while Marshall Jr. led in the air with 49 yards on two receptions. Defensively, inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson led with six total tackles (three solo) while Coleman-Lyles managed two quarterback hits.
The Dolphins now look ahead to their regular season, which opens against Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. in Allegiant Stadium.
