Falcons @ Dolphins

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

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(AP) -- The undefeated Miami Dolphins are confident, yet cautious, knowing that sustaining their early success likely won't be easy over the next three games.

 

Seeking their best start in more than a decade, the Dolphins face the banged-up Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in their home opener.

 

Miami is looking to open 3-0 for the first time since 2002, and when it most recently started 2-0 in 2010, it finished 7-9. Prior to this year, the Dolphins were 5-18 in September over the past seven seasons. They've had only one winning season in that span, so it's understandable if the team is cautiously optimistic going forward.

 

"It's only two games," Miami cornerback and former Falcon Brent Grimes said. "But we played well and got two road wins to start the season, which is a big deal, and we showed a lot of promise of things we can do if we keep our heads on straight."

 

That humble and levelheaded attitude could be essential for the Dolphins, who face expected playoff contenders Atlanta (1-1), New Orleans and Baltimore in consecutive weeks.

 

"Any time you start 2-0 it's a confidence builder," linebacker Philip Wheeler said, "and we're going to feel like we can beat anybody."

 

Miami already proved that with last Sunday's 24-20 victory over an Indianapolis team which made the playoffs last season and hadn't lost a home game in nearly a year.

 

Ryan Tannehill was 23 of 34 for 319 yards and a touchdown to Mike Wallace, who matched a career high with nine receptions for 115. The high-priced receiver was in a better mood than the previous week when he pouted after catching one ball in a 23-10 win at Cleveland in his Dolphins debut.

 

Tannehill is expected to play despite being limited in practice by a sore shoulder.

 

A Miami run game limited to 20 yards against the Browns totaled 101 last week, including 69 and a touchdown on 14 carries from Lamar Miller.

 

"You have to stay true to the film," coach Joe Philbin said. "The film tells us from Sunday's game we did a lot of good things. But the film also says there are major areas of improvement that need to be addressed quickly. I think our guys are levelheaded and know film is the biggest barometer of success."

 

Philbin's team understands the amount of preparation it needs to face the Falcons, who are still extremely potent despite being hit hard by injuries through the first two weeks.

 

Most notably missing will be running back Steven Jackson, who scored his first touchdown with Atlanta and also injured his thigh during last Sunday's 31-24 win over St. Louis.

 

"He will not play this week. I know that," coach Mike Smith said. "It is short term. When I say short term, I don't know if it's two weeks or three weeks."

 

Atlanta also lost fullback Bradie Ewing (shoulder) and defensive end Kroy Biermann (Achilles) for the season, and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (foot) for a minimum of eight weeks. A thigh injury also could sideline cornerback Asante Samuel.

 

"We've not had anything close to this," Smith said about the rash of injuries. "There have been games where we've had guys who have not been able to play and it's been the next-man up mentality and I think that's really what our guys understand."

 

While Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling are expected to share the running back duties, slowing down Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez presents the biggest challenge to the Dolphins defense.

 

Jones ranks among the NFL leaders with 18 receptions and 258 yards. He caught 11 for 182 against the Rams, including an 81-yard TD from Ryan.

 

"Julio and Matt seemed to be in sync, seeing the defense the same way," Smith said. "When you have your receiver and quarterback doing that, you have a chance to be successful."

 

Ryan, 33 of 43 for 374 yards with two touchdowns last week, is second in the league in completion percentage at 71.6.

 

Gonzalez has been targeted 14 times in two games while catching seven passes for 69 yards and a TD. He could be in for a big performance against the Dolphins, who have allowed a combined 13 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns to young tight ends Jordan Cameron of Cleveland and Coby Fleener of Indianapolis.

 

Atlanta won the last two meetings with Miami, most recently 19-7 at home in 2009. Ryan threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Gonzalez, who finished with five receptions for 73 yards.

 

[southgadawg 52]

My heart tells me that the Falcons will someway pull out a win. My head tells me simply that the Falcons are missing too many key personnel to defeat a pretty good Dolphins team. Brady Ewing and Kroy Biermann are done for the season. Sean Weatherspoon is out for at least 8 games and Steven Jackson is going to be missed for sure as well (2-4 games). With Spoon and Biermann out I really wonder who will be covering the Dolphins tight ends because they have gotten a fair amount of targets the first two games.

 

Going with my heart:

 

Falcons 24

Dolphins 21

[KempBolt 498]

To me, I think the Falcons are too beat up and they're on the road. They're also facing a tough attacking defense after having trouble against the Saints front 7.

 

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[BigBen07 285]

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

The Falcons will start Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle in Week 3.

Atlanta is reeling up front. Trueblood was cut by the Redskins before final cuts, and signed by the Falcons on September 3. Lamar Holmes -- who's gotten rocked at right tackle -- will attempt to protect Matt Ryan's blindside due to Sam Baker's foot and ankle injuries. Trueblood has been wholly ineffective in his eight-year career. He'll be on Cameron Wake's side on Sunday.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[RazorStar 4,025]

This'll be a big statement game for the Phins. Let's see how they do this week and the next, and if they can pull off wins, we might be able to start talking about them as a contender. But they have to win these games coming up agaisnt proven teams.

[theMileHighGuy 656]

Another interesting game, I give the edge to the Phins. They're off to an awesome start and that defense is nastier than what Atlanta has struggled against thus far. That o-line will get wrecked against cam wake and company.

 

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[housemd 338]

Give me the Falcons here.

[blotsfan 2,112]

fish hype train gets derailed.

 

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[NFL-Lady 1]

MIA has got this game...

 

PHINS UP, GO DOLPHINS!!!

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

It's ugly. But things are starting to look like Matt Ryan is going to have to put this entire team on his back this year if we want to even get to the playoffs. The injuries are pretty saddening/derailing to me as a fan, but I believe we can win this game. The Dolphins have a strong front 7, but I don't believe their secondary has what it takes after giving up significant yards to both Weeden and Luck.

 

I'd really like to see us get Quizz involved, and just for our defense to get some turnovers. It's all I ask. Once again, I'm not expecting a victory, but I'm not going to make injuries an excuse...unless Ryan gets knocked the fuck out.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Falcons need to let Snelling get some burn.

[Bay 2,003]

Give me the Dolphins!

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

24-21 Dolphins

[BradyFan81 404]

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[Dutch 874]

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[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Mike Wallace (groin) is active and will start Sunday's Week 3 game against the Falcons.

No surprise here. Start Wallace as a WR2/3 with confidence.

The Dolphins' inactives are QB Pat Devlin, CB Jamar Taylor, CB Dimitri Patterson, LB Josh Kaddu, G Danny Watkins, G/T Dallas Thomas, and NT Paul Soliai.

 

 

 

 

Roddy White (ankle) and Julio Jones (knee) are both active and will start Sunday's Week 3 game against the Dolphins.

As expected. Look for White to be limited for the the third straight week, while Jones is locked in as a top-five receiver play.

The Falcons' inactives are Steven Jackson (thigh), S Kemal Ishmael, S Zeke Motta, LB Jamar Chaney, G/C Harland Gunn, LT Sam Baker, and DT Travian Robertson.

[Bay 2,003]

Give me the Dolphins!

 

[southgadawg 52]

Didn't even seem like I was watching the Falcons because simply they made so many mistakes. It wasn't just the penalties which have historically haven't marked Mike Smith coached teams. Harry Douglas dropped a pass, Roddy White dropped a pass......then on the next play a poor punt (rare for Bosher) complicated by a holding call. The Falcons played like a high school team today in many ways. Douglas made another mistake in losing the fumble on a punt return that cost points and then when Matt Bryant missed the field goal in the fourth I told my wife right then that the Dolphins would go the length of the field and score a touchdown. There were bright spots don't get me wrong but this makes two games (against the Saints was the other) where just executing a few things right could have easily been the difference in the ball game. Oh well the season is still fairly early but not looking good right now for sure.