The Miami Dolphins will look to get their new rebuild off to a positive start when they host the playoff-hopeful Atlanta Falcons in the preseason opener for Miami on Thursday night. If you’re looking for some expert NFL preseason betting predictions, then look no further.
Falcons vs Dolphins 2019 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds, Analysis & Prediction
- When: Thursday August 8, 2019, 6:30 PM ET
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
- TV: None
- Radio: Atlanta / Miami
- Live Stream: NFL Network
- NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds: Miami -3.5 / Total: 35.5
Weather Forecast
- Chance of Thunderstorm: 33°C/91°F
- Humidity: 70%
- Precipitation: 50%
- Wind: 7 mph SSW
- Cloud Cover: 50%
- Type of Stadium: Open
Why Bet On Atlanta at +3.5?
The Falcons kicked off the preseason schedule this year by suffering a narrow, 14-10 loss to Denver in the annual Hall of Fame game on Thursday. Second-year backup quarterback Kurt Benkert was decent in completing 19 of 34 passes for 185 yards with one touchdown while third-string mentor Matt Schaub went 4 of 14 for just 10 yards with one interception. Last season, the Falcons went an uninspiring 7-9 to finish second in the NFC South and miss out on the playoffs while ranking an encouraging 10th in scoring (25.9 ppg), but an awful 25th in points allowed (26.4 ppg).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 25.88
- Total Yards: 389.06
- Pass Yards: 290.75
- Rush Yards: 98.31
- Average Score Against: 26.44
- Total Yards: 384.62
- Pass Yards: 259.56
- Rush Yards: 125.06
Why Bet On Miami at -3.5?
Miami also went 7-9 in 2018 to finish in second place in the AFC East, but their repeated failures cost former head coach Adam Gase his job and now the Fins are starting over under first-time head coach Brian Flores, the former linebackers coach and defacto defensive coordinator in New England. Miami will have a new starting quarterback in 2019 whether its veteran
Ryan Fitzpatrick or former Cardinals starter Josh Rosen. Former Michigan signal-caller Jake Rudock will see some action as the third-stringer.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 19.94
- Total Yards: 289.88
- Pass Yards: 181.25
- Rush Yards: 108.63
- Average Score Against: 27.06
- Total Yards: 391.06
- Pass Yards: 245.75
- Rush Yards: 145.31
Falcons vs Dolphins NFL Preseason Week 1 Betting Trends
- Falcons are 2-7 ATS in the last 9 games
- Falcons are 3-6 SU in the last 9 games
- The total went UNDER in 6 of the Falcons last 9 games
- Dolphins are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games at home
- Dolphins are 2-5 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went UNDER in 8 of the Dophins’ last 12 games against Atlanta
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Falcons vs Dolphins
The Dolphins have won and covered the chalk in two straight against Atalanta, not to mention the fact that the Fins are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games and Atlanta is just 1-4 ATS in their last five road dates. More importantly, the Dolphins will be playing two guys fighting for the starting job in Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick, although I don’t expect to see the veteran too much in this meaningless preseason opener.
Atlanta’s Kurt Benkert had an awful completion in the Hall of Fame game and Matt Schaub clearly looked like he was ready to be put out to pasture. The Falcons have an older, more veteran-laden roster and they probably just want to get out of this game healthy while Miami has far more to prove, starting at the game’s most important position.
With the Fins almost certainly going, nearly all-out to get their new era started off on the right foot, I say back Miami to win and narrowly cover the chalk!
Pick: Miami 20 Atlanta 14
