Dolphins (1-6) at Falcons (3-3), Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

Latest line: Falcons are favored by 7 1/2 points

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 2-5): Falcons 31, Dolphins 14

There’s no believing better is coming at this point, and aside from playing in an indoor stadium, this is a bad matchup for the Dolphins. They have the worst rushing defense in the league at 159.3 yards allowed a game. Atlanta has one of the NFL’s top rushing offenses. It’s defense also ranks second in yards allowed (252.6) and eighth in points allowed (19.6) against a Dolphins offense that looked lost against a strong Cleveland defense. Add it up and it’s another tough week.

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 4-3): Falcons 28, Dolphins 17

I might be too optimistic in giving the Dolphins two touchdowns, especially considering tight end Darren Waller (pectoral) went on IR and will miss at least four games. If the Dolphins give a second consecutive listless performance, that would almost certainly be coach Mike McDaniel’s last stand. The Dolphins would be riding a four-game losing streak heading into a Thursday game against Baltimore, and most likely disgruntled fans wouldn’t show up at Hard Rock Stadium for that game.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 2-5): Falcons 34, Dolphins 13

Simply put, Miami is falling apart after that brutal loss in Cleveland. Bijan Robinson is going to run all over this league-worst run defense. Tua Tagovailoa has thrown six interceptions in his last two games. Already without Tyreek Hill, now he’s without tight end Darren Waller. It’s all just not a good formula for the reeling Dolphins, who clearly are a team in disarray.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 3-4): Dolphins 26, Falcons 23

You know how some people play the same numbers in Lotto week after week, hoping it will hit? That’s how I feel about picking the Dolphins week after week. I know the odds are not good, but they have to hit sometime. Right?

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 6-1): Falcons 27, Dolphins 17

The Falcons should run all over the Dolphins with star running back Bijan Robinson. While quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is slowed by a knee injury, veteran Kirk Cousins could start for Atlanta. The Dolphins, who were still playing hard for embattled coach Mike McDaniel before getting trounced by the Browns. At this point, however, it seems like it’s just a matter of time before McDaniel will be fired. Struggling quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also is on thin ice after throwing three interceptions for the second straight game. He will be hard-pressed to find success against Atlanta’s strong defense.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 2-5): Falcons 33, Dolphins 19

The struggling Dolphins have gotten plenty unlucky this year, to go with their chunks of inept performance. At the top of the poor-fortune list is their schedule. They will have played the Panthers, Browns and Falcons all on the road, and those teams are basically cupcakes away from their home environments. Meanwhile, the Patriots and Jets fortuitously got all three of those teams at home. Look for Atlanta, 7 1/2-point favorites, to run often and with ease in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/23/dolphins-falcons-predictions-can-miami-pull-off-huge-upset/