NFLGame PreviewsMIA VS ATL Preview Week8 26-Oct-2025

Game Preview of Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons. Week 8 of 2025 NFL Season

MIA logo

MIA

1-6-0
@
26OCT25
01:00pm
ATL logo

ATL

3-3-0
Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Game Preview

 

The Falcons host the Dolphins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 26 (1:00 PM ET). Atlanta has the better record and the healthier identity. Miami brings drama and injuries. That shows up in the line and in how these teams match up.

 

Tua Tagovailoa is set to start after a rough run and a benching last week. He is listed as questionable with a leg issue, and he no longer has Tyreek Hill, who is on injured reserve. That puts more on Jaylen Waddle, who is also questionable, and on De’Von Achane, who may be asked to carry more with the ball in space.

 

Atlanta’s defense is the headline. The Falcons have allowed explosive passes on only 3.0% of opponent throws (97th percentile). They also convert pressures to sacks at a top-10 rate. Miami’s offense still flashes in spots, but its explosive pass rate sits at 5.3% (16th percentile), which leans modest rather than scary.

 

On the other side, keep an eye on Michael Penix Jr. The rookie QB is questionable with a knee bruise, though signs point to him playing. If he’s limited, the Falcons can lean on Bijan Robinson and a scheme that creates explosives in the run and quick game. That’s a good fit against a Dolphins defense that has allowed a high explosive run rate this season.

 

Current Season Form

MIA logo

MIA

Away
Record:1-6-0
ATS:3-4-0
O/U:6-1-0
ATL logo

ATL

Home
Record:3-3-0
ATS:3-3-0
O/U:1-5-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
2-3Winner logo
ATS:2-3-0
O/U:2-3-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2025-10-19@ SFL 10-20L 1.5u46.5
2025-10-13vs BUFW 24-14W +-3.5u49.5
2025-09-28vs WASW 34-27W +2.5o43.5
2025-09-21@ CARL 0-30L -5.5u44.5
2025-09-14@ MINW 22-6W +3.5u44.5
2025-09-07vs TBL 20-23L -1.5u47.5
2025-01-05vs CARL 38-44W +7.5o48.5
2024-12-29@ WASL 24-30L 3.5o46.5
2024-12-22vs NYGW 34-7W +9.5u42.5
2024-12-16@ LVW 15-9W +-6.5u44.5

Key Insights

  • Falcons smother big plays through the air: ATL’s 3.0% explosive-pass allowed rate ranks in the 97th percentile, matching their pass-rush profile (8.2% sack rate generated, 89th pct).

  • Dolphins’ offense is less explosive without Hill: MIA’s explosive pass rate 5.3% (16th pct) with a low scheme explosive rate 1.0% (3rd pct), meaning fewer schemed chunk plays.

  • Ground game edge for ATL: Miami has allowed 9.8% explosive runs (raw rate), which aligns with Bijan’s ability to punish light boxes.

  • Third-down profiles diverge: MIA offense converts 41.7% on third down (72nd pct), but MIA defense ranks 12th percentile in third-down stop rate, extending opponent drives.

  • Red zone tug-of-war: ATL offense lags in red-zone TD rate (44.4%) while MIA offense is stronger there (66.7%). Short fields could decide this.

  • Availability shapes the script: Penix (Q), Waddle (Q), Achane (Q), Jake Matthews (Q), and Drake London (Q) all carry late-week volatility.

Betting Insights

 

  • Spread anchor: Falcons -7.5 (-118). The market bakes in Atlanta’s pass defense edge and Miami’s turnover risk.

  • Total anchor: 44.5 with Over -119 / Under -116. Juice is split near even. Game flow hinges on ATL’s red-zone finishing and MIA explosive runs.

  • Team totals: Falcons Over 26.5 (-127) if Penix and OL are in; Dolphins Under 17.5 (-109) correlates with ATL’s explosive-pass prevention.

  • Tua Tagovailoa Under 205.5 pass yds (-119): ATL’s explosives clamp and pass rush can trim chunks and attempts.

  • Bijan Robinson Over 90.5 rush yds (-119): Best-on-worst angle: ATL run game vs MIA’s explosive-run issue.

  • Drake London Over 65.5 rec yds (-119) — volatility note: Play only if active; Miami’s secondary is thin.

  • De’Von Achane Over 32.5 rec yds (-120) — volatility note: If active, outlet targets vs pressure can pile up fast.

 

Final Summary

Atlanta deserves to be a strong home favorite. Their defense limits deep shots and creates steady pressure. That’s a tough mix for a Miami offense missing Tyreek Hill and carrying multiple questionable tags. If the Falcons keep Miami behind the sticks, Tua’s line and the Dolphins’ team total can drift under their numbers.

On offense, Atlanta can keep it simple. Ride Bijan. Use motion and quick hitters to manage Penix if his knee limits movement. Miami’s profile shows leakiness against explosive runs, so one or two long gains can swing both the spread and the total.

The total at 44.5 sits in a modest range. If Atlanta stalls in the red zone, an Under -116 ticket can cash even in a clear Falcons win. If Bijan breaks a long one and Atlanta converts short fields, the Over -119 is live late.

Bottom line: the board points to Falcons -7.5 (-118) with derivative support on Tua Under 205.5 (-119) and Bijan Over 90.5 (-119). Treat London and Achane props as news-dependent. Manage stake size, respect the juice, and be ready to adjust when inactives post.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: ATL Offense vs MIA Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points110#30205#3MIA advantage
Total Points Per Game18.3#2829.3#29ATL advantage
Total Touchdowns11#2921#26MIA advantage
Passing Touchdowns5#3111#17MIA advantage
Rushing Touchdowns6#159#25ATL advantage
Other Touchdowns0#141#22ATL advantage
Total Kicking Points44#2469#2MIA advantage
Total Two Point Conversions0#312#2MIA advantage
Kick Extra Points11#2618#7MIA advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards1368#191427#20ATL advantage
Net Passing Yards Per Game228#10204#22ATL advantage
Passer Rating85#25114#1MIA advantage
Passing Attempts202#23193#7MIA advantage
Completions124#26144#19MIA advantage
Completion Percentage61.4#2674.6#32ATL advantage
Passing 1st downs69#1977#17MIA advantage
Passing 1st Down %53.3#2251.8#9MIA advantage
Longest Pass69#955#17ATL advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost2#123#4MIA advantage
Receiving Targets197#19189#26ATL advantage
Receptions124#26144#14MIA advantage
Receiving Yards After Catch724#14806#24ATL advantage
YAC Average6.1#45.5#25ATL advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards818#121115#32ATL advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game136#4159#1MIA advantage
Rushing Attempts179#15214#29ATL advantage
Yards Per Rush Attempt4.6#125.2#3MIA advantage
Rushing 1st downs43#1856#29ATL advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays4#1410#1MIA advantage
Long Rushing81#153#12ATL advantage
Rushing Fumbles4#1410#1MIA advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost1#101#19ATL advantage