The way Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and Miami’s Ryan Tannehill have quarterbacked this preseason the over could be reached in the first half. The teams are a combined 3-0-1 on the over and face defenses that are in a rebuild phase.
ODDS
The Dolphins get their first home preseason game and opened as a 3.5-point favorite. They covered as a 1.5-point dog last week and are 1-1 ATS this preseason. The total surfaced at 44.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has looked good in his short time on the field this preseason, completing 10 of his 11 attempts for 161 yards and two touchdowns in two games. He led the first team offense to two touchdowns on his only two drives last week and the team has scored three touchdowns in all of his series. His backups, though, haven’t fared well. T.J. Yates, who is expected to be the No. 2 guy, has completed 17 of 30 for 183 yards and two interceptions. Third-year Duke product Sean Renfree has hit on 16 of 21 attempts for 162 yards. Ryan will likely play the first half against Miami before handing off to his backups for second half action.
Ryan Tannehill has been equally good for the Dolphins and badly outplayed Carolina’s Cam Newton last week. Tannehill was 12 of 15 for 102 yards and a touchdown last week and has completed 82 percent of his passes this preseason. He will get a longer look this week with the first-team expected to play the first half and possibly into the second depending on the flow of the game, according to head coach Joe Philbin. Matt Moore appears to be the option at No. 2 after McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Josh Freeman have been underwhelming this preseason. There remains a battle for the No. 3 spot.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
For the second week in a row Miami reserves blew a lead and lost the game, raising legitimate questions about the team’s depth as we reach the all-important third preseason game. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin yanked his starters with a 14-0 lead last week in a game they outplayed Carolina on offense, defense and special teams. Similar to the preseason opener when Miami starters built a 10-0 lead at Chicago, the backups were ineffective. Miami is front-loaded, which is what you expect when a team puts so much money into a handful of starters and the Dolphins can ill afford injuries to front-line players. Philbin will work his reserves to find enough quality depth to carry his team, because injuries do happen in the NFL.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Playing time will be on a case-by-case basis of who needs more work, who needs less. It won’t be a group decision. Some guys will go longer than others.” – Falcons’ coach Dan Quinn on preparing his team to play the Dolphins
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Falcons insist receiver Roddy White, who underwent elbow surgery this week, will be ready for the regular season. They believe the team’s all-time receptions leader will take the field once the games count. But in the meantime, the Falcons have some weapons if White is unable to answer the bell. Free agent Leonard Hankerson and fourth-round pick Justin Hardy both had strong games last week and could fill the No. 2 spot if white has a setback along the way. Devin Hester would fit into the rotation as might Nick Williams, who’s made an impression. “He’s someone we definitely want to keep looking at,” Quinn said of Williams.
INJURIES
Atlanta defensive starters William Moore, Desmond Trufant and Ra’Shede Hageman are progressing from their respective injuries but are three are doubtful to play against the Dolphins. Reserve offensive lineman Peter Konz is also out after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Dolphins cornerback Jemar Taylor left last week’s game with a thigh injury and hasn’t returned to practice.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Both teams have to judge the risk/reward factor in this one. The quarterback situation at the top is settled but the backups are in need of work. I don’t expect Ryan and Tannehill to play more than a half, if they play that much. The reserves need work and that outweighs the risk of injury to the starter that could ruin the season before it even starts. The first-teamers on both sides have played well this preseason but depth will be an issue for Miami all season if they don’t find backups. They haven’t yet and were buried in their first two.
Atlanta 31, Miami 26
The NFL odds for this Saturday game were first available at BookMaker sportsbook. The Dolphins were pegged as 3.5-point chalk while the total opened at 44. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
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