On Friday, the Miami Dolphins will host the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium as both teams make their 2024 NFL preseason debut. It remains to be seen how much the starters will play (if at all), but regardless, it’s great to have football back.
Here is everything you need to know surrounding the Dolphins vs. Falcons Week 1 preseason game, including the channel, start time, live stream options, and more.
Everything to Know About Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
- Start time: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, 7 p.m. ET
- Channel: Local
- Live stream options: NFL+
- Radio stations: 92.9 The Game, Dolphins Broadcast Network
- Starting QBs: Michael Penix Jr., Mike White
- Betting lines:
- Spread: ATL -2.5
- Total: 38.5
- Moneyline: ATL -148, MIA +124
The Falcons had a very intriguing offseason. Atlanta had a chance to take the NFC South in 2023 if the quarterback situation was a bit better. Despite his best efforts, Desmond Ridder couldn’t cut it under center, as the team turned to backup Taylor Heincke at multiple points in the season. With Ridder and former head coach Arthur Smith gone, it was time for change.
However, the change got a bit strange. After bringing in Raheem Morris as the team’s new head coach, Atlanta signed QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract to finally give the Falcons offense a fighting chance. Then, a month and a half later, Atlanta used the eighth overall pick to select Penix. As a result, fans went crazy.
One could argue that the Falcons thought they wouldn’t find themselves with the eighth pick in the NFL Draft in the near future, with a chance to select a quarterback who could be a foundational cornerstone for their franchise. However, if that’s the case, why would you give a veteran QB a $100 million guaranteed contract?
Falcons fans will get to see their quarterback back of the future plenty this preseason. Penix will take the field while Cousins continues to rehab his Achilles injury to prepare for Week 1 of the regular season. Don’t be fooled; no matter how good Penix looks, this is Cousins’ squad.
No matter who takes over under center, upgrading the floor at quarterback only helps the vast number of playmakers on this roster, such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts. Could we see career years from these young offensive weapons?
2023 Stats Leaders
- QB:
- Falcons: Desmond Ridder, 249 cmp/388 att, 2,836 yards, 12 TDs, 12 INTs
- Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, 388 cmp/560 att, 4,624 yards, 29 TDs, 14 INTs
- RB:
- Falcons: Bijan Robinson, 214 carries, 976 yards, four TDs, three fumbles lost
- Dolphins: Raheem Mostert, 209 carries, 1,012 yards, 18 TDs, one fumble lost
- WR:
- Falcons: Drake London, 69 rec/110 targets, 905 yards, two TDs
- Dolphins: Tyreek Hill, 119 rec/171 targets, 1,799 yards, 13 TDs, one fumble lost
