Atlanta Falcons (7-10) vs. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
As the NFL preseason kicks off, the Atlanta Falcons travel to face the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on a sultry summer evening, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing clash between two teams that had starkly different fortunes last season. The Falcons, looking to bounce back from a less stellar 7-10 record, are pitted against a Dolphins team that enjoyed a successful 11-6 run. This game, unfolding on Friday, August 9, 2024, not only heralds the return of football but also serves up some enticing NFL free picks today for the keen bettor.
Bijan Robinson last season was noteworthy for 976 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns – it is a good base to build upon. His ability to penetrate the defense has been shown by his seven occasions where he registered more than twenty yards in a run; this will be important against the tough Dolphins’ defense. Drake London remains integral for their passing game as he had 905 yards last year. The association he has with Taylor Heinicke, whose efforts of 890 throwing yardage, five touchdown passes as well as four picks were inconsistent shall form the basis of any aerial threat posed by the Falcons.
Tua Tagovailoa quarterbacked Miami to an offense that had him pass for 4,624 yards and throw 29 TDs during the stand-out campaign in 2023. It will really come down to his accuracy and clutch playmaking ability when under duress. Last season’s Raheem Mostert was a force on the ground: he recorded a thousand plus total yards and eighteen touchdowns which presents a huge challenge to Atlanta’s defense. This makes Tyreek Hill an invaluable player given his mind-boggling speed that once enabled him to pile up almost two thousand receiving yards with thirteen touchdowns; without which Miami’s receiving unit would be incomplete offensively.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins Game Info
| When: | Friday, August 9, 2024, at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Hard Rock Stadium |
| TV: | — |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Taylor Heinicke QB vs. Tua Tagovailoa QB
Although Taylor Heinicke was the quarterback for Atlanta last season, he ended the year with average stats such as 890 passing yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions in five games. Heinicke’s performance during this pre-season will be critical in determining his future with Falcons and this calls for improved accuracy and decision making.
On another hand, Tua Tagovailoa had an amazing season at Miami with a throw of 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and a passer rating of 101.1. Being able to make accurate throws and game drives which are long will be a test to the Falcons’ secondary which has been struggling against deep threats.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Atlanta Falcons -145, Total Odds: 36.5
The odds set the Falcons as slight favorites with a -2.5 point spread, an intriguing position given their struggles last season. The total over/under at 36.5 reflects expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, a testament to the offensive capabilities of both teams, especially considering the Dolphins’ prowess at home.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends
The Falcons have had their challenges against the spread, going 1-4 in their last five outings. Their recent encounters with the Dolphins show a similar trend, with a 2-6 ATS record in their last eight matchups. Additionally, the total has gone UNDER in 13 of their last 20 games, suggesting a tendency towards lower-scoring affairs, which might influence betting strategies.
Miami Dolphins Betting Trends
Miami’s recent performance paints a mixed picture; they are 2-4 ATS in their last six games but have shown resilience at home with a 7-2 SU record in their last nine. Interestingly, the total has gone OVER in four of the last five matches against the Falcons, which might hint at a shift in the trend for this upcoming game.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins 8/9/24 Betting Picks
Entering this preseason matchup, both teams have points to prove and kinks to iron out. The Falcons, underdogs despite the odds, have a tough road ahead, especially on Miami’s home turf. My final prediction leans towards a close encounter with Miami leveraging their home advantage and robust offensive lineup.
Considering the trends and team dynamics, the Dolphins at +2.5 seems like a promising pick, with potential value in the OVER given both teams’ offensive weapons. As for prop bets, keep an eye on Tyreek Hill to exceed his receiving yards total, a frequent outcome last season. For those looking at utilizing the best bookie software, these insights could help carve out strategic bets for this early season showdown.
