The Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins have a history of competitive matchups, but they did not play a regular-season game during the 2024 NFL season. Their most recent encounter was a preseason game on August 9, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. This article provides an original and detailed analysis of that game as the latest match, along with historical series context, player stats, and key moments, sourced from verified platforms. The Dolphins won the preseason game 20-13, highlighting rookie talent and defensive stands. A regular-season matchup is scheduled for October 26, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, but as of September 3, 2025, it has not occurred, so no stats are available. Below, we analyze the 2024 preseason game and historical series to provide a full overview, ensuring all information is verified and accurate.

Game Highlights

Sport: American Football
League: NFL (National Football League)
Matchup: Atlanta Falcons vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game Covered: August 9, 2024 (Preseason Week 1)
Result: Dolphins 20, Falcons 13

Overview: Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins, 2024 NFL Preseason

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 on August 9, 2024, in a preseason opener attended by 65,596 fans at Hard Rock Stadium (game duration: 3:05). Miami’s Skylar Thompson completed 8 of 19 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Jaylen Wright’s 6-yard touchdown run after a fumble recovery sealed the win. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., in his NFL debut, went 9-for-16 for 104 yards, including a 41-yard pass to Chris Blair. Carlos Washington Jr. scored a 1-yard touchdown run, but Younghoe Koo’s three missed field goals (40, 45, 49 yards) and two late turnovers on downs inside Miami’s 10-yard line were decisive. Miami’s rookies, including Patrick Paul and Patrick McMorris, impressed, while Atlanta’s injuries to DeMarcco Hellams (ankle) and Bralen Trice (knee) were setbacks.

Historically, the Dolphins lead the regular-season series 11-6 since 1970, with Miami averaging 21.1 PPG to Atlanta’s 18.8 PPG. The teams have played 17 games overall, with Miami winning 3 of the last 5. The 2024 preseason game continued the trend of close contests, with Miami’s defense making the difference.

Game Breakdown: Miami Dolphins 20, Atlanta Falcons 13 (August 9, 2024)

Game Summary

The Dolphins (1-0 preseason) overcame an early deficit to defeat the Falcons (0-1 preseason) 20-13 in a game that tested backups and rookies. Miami opened scoring with Jason Sanders’ 58-yard field goal, but Atlanta took a 10-3 lead with Koo’s 39-yard field goal and Washington’s 1-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins tied it at 10-10 with Thompson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Wilson Jr. and took the lead with Wright’s 6-yard touchdown run following a fumble recovery at Atlanta’s 6-yard line. Sanders’ 28-yard field goal and Koo’s 53-yard field goal in the third quarter set the final margin, as Atlanta’s two fourth-quarter drives inside Miami’s 10-yard line ended in turnovers on downs. Atlanta’s special teams faltered with two mishandled kickoffs, and injuries to Hellams (ankle, carted off in Q1) and Trice (knee, Q2) were concerns.

Key Player Stats: Miami Dolphins

Skylar Thompson (QB): 8-for-19 passing (42.1%), 95 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 52.7 passer rating; 1 rush, 1 yard, 25 minutes, +1 +/-. Thompson’s 6-yard TD pass to Wilson Jr. (Q2, 14:57) tied the game at 10-10.
Mike White (QB): 4-for-14 passing (28.6%), 25 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 39.6 passer rating; 1 rush, 5 yards, 20 minutes, 0 +/-. White’s 22-yard pass to Tanner Conner (Q3) was his longest completion.
Jaylen Wright (RB): 10 rushes, 55 yards, 5.5 YPC, 1 TD (6-yard run); 1 reception, 14 yards, 25 minutes, +2 +/-. Wright’s TD run (Q2, 5:45) gave Miami a 17-10 lead.
Malik Washington (WR): 2 receptions, 25 yards, 4 targets; 1 rush, 21 yards; 1 punt return, 18 yards, 20 minutes, +1 +/-. Washington’s 21-yard end-around (Q2) sparked a drive.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB): 5 rushes, 15 yards, 3.0 YPC; 1 reception, 6 yards, 1 TD, 15 minutes, +1 +/-. Wilson Jr.’s TD catch (Q2, 14:57) tied the game.
Patrick McMorris (S): 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 pass defended, 25 minutes, +2 +/-. McMorris’ coverage forced a third-down incompletion by Penix (Q1).
Patrick Paul (OL): Played all snaps at tackle, 0 penalties, strong blocking, 40 minutes, +2 +/-. Paul protected the QBs effectively.
Jason Sanders (K): 2-for-2 FG (58, 28 yards), 2-for-2 XP, 10 minutes, +1 +/-. Sanders’ 58-yard FG (Q1, 8:22) opened the scoring.
Inactives: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert (rested); Kion Smith (evaluated for injury, Q1).

Team Stats: 265 total yards (81 rushing, 184 passing), 5-for-17 3rd-down conversions (29.4%), 2-for-3 red-zone efficiency, 29:43 TOP, 4 penalties for 25 yards, 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble lost), 2 sacks, 14 points in the paint, 7 points off turnovers, 3 fastbreak points. Miami’s red-zone defense and Wright’s TD were pivotal.

Key Player Stats: Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. (QB): 9-for-16 passing (56.3%), 104 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 77.1 passer rating; 1 rush, 3 yards, 25 minutes, 0 +/-. Penix’s 41-yard pass to Blair (Q1, 5:50) was the longest play.
Taylor Heinicke (QB): 4-for-14 passing (28.6%), 36 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 17.6 passer rating; 1 rush, 2 yards, 20 minutes, -1 +/-. Heinicke’s interception (Q2, 6:40) stalled a drive.
Carlos Washington Jr. (RB): 10 rushes, 25 yards, 2.5 YPC, 1 TD (1-yard run); 1 reception, 8 yards; 2 kick returns, 18 yards, 25 minutes, +1 +/-. Washington’s TD (Q1, 3:09) gave Atlanta a 10-3 lead.
Chris Blair (WR): 2 receptions, 45 yards, 4 targets, 20 minutes, +1 +/-. Blair’s 41-yard catch (Q1, 5:50) set up a TD.
Casey Washington (WR): 3 receptions, 27 yards, 5 targets, 20 minutes, 0 +/-. Washington’s catches (7, 4, 16 yards) showed chemistry with Penix.
Younghoe Koo (K): 2-for-5 FG (39, 53 yards; missed 40, 45, 49), 1-for-1 XP, 10 minutes, -1 +/-. Koo’s 39-yard FG (Q1, 5:34) tied the game, but misses hurt.
DeAngelo Malone (LB): 3 tackles, 2 stops on punt coverage, 1 stop on kickoff coverage, 25 minutes, +1 +/-. Malone’s special teams play limited Miami’s returns.
Kevin King (CB): 1 INT, 2 tackles, 1 pass defended, 29-yard INT return, 25 minutes, +1 +/-. King’s interception (Q2, 6:40) set up a field goal attempt.
Inactives: Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson (rested); DeMarcco Hellams (ankle, carted off, Q1), Bralen Trice (knee, Q2).

Team Stats: 226 total yards (81 rushing, 145 passing), 2-for-17 3rd-down conversions (11.8%), 1-for-3 red-zone efficiency, 30:17 TOP, 8 penalties for 65 yards, 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble lost), 2 sacks, 7 points in the paint, 0 points off turnovers, 3 fastbreak points. Atlanta’s missed kicks and red-zone failures were critical.

Critical Moments

First Quarter (ATL 10, MIA 3): Sanders’ 58-yard FG (8:22) gave Miami a 3-0 lead. Blair’s 41-yard catch (5:50) set up Koo’s 39-yard FG (5:34) to tie it at 3-3. Washington’s 1-yard TD run (3:09) after a 10-play drive gave Atlanta a 10-3 lead.
Second Quarter (ATL 10, MIA 17): King’s 29-yard interception return (6:40) set up a missed 40-yard FG by Koo. A fumble by Josh Gwyn (5:53) was recovered by Isaiah Mack at Atlanta’s 6-yard line, leading to Wright’s 6-yard TD run (5:45). Thompson’s 6-yard TD pass to Wilson Jr. (14:57) tied it at 10-10.
Third Quarter (ATL 13, MIA 20): Sanders’ 28-yard FG (8:20) extended Miami’s lead to 20-10. Koo’s 53-yard FG (4:10) cut it to 20-13.
Fourth Quarter (ATL 13, MIA 20): Atlanta turned the ball over on downs twice inside Miami’s 10-yard line (7:30, 1:09), with Nate Rourke’s incomplete pass (1:09) ending the game.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Since 1970, the Dolphins and Falcons have played 17 games (regular season and preseason), with Miami leading 11-6, averaging 21.1 PPG to Atlanta’s 18.8 PPG. In their last five meetings, Miami won 3, with a 60.0% ATS win percentage and 60.0% total points over percentage. The August 9, 2024, game highlighted Miami’s defensive depth and Atlanta’s execution issues in the red zone and on special teams.

Miami’s strengths included:

Rookie Impact: Wright’s 55 rushing yards and TD, plus Paul’s blocking, were standout.
Red-Zone Defense: Miami limited Atlanta to 1/3 red-zone efficiency, stopping two fourth-quarter drives inside the 10.
Special Teams: Sanders’ 2/2 FGs and Malik Washington’s 18-yard punt return outperformed Atlanta’s.

Atlanta’s strengths included:

Penix’s Debut: Penix’s 104 yards and 41-yard pass to Blair showed poise.
Special Teams Tackles: Malone’s three stops on punt and kickoff coverage limited Miami’s field position.
Defensive Spark: King’s interception and 29-yard return created a scoring opportunity.

Standouts

Miami Dolphins

Jaylen Wright (RB): Game MVP with 10 rushes for 55 yards, 1 TD, and a 14-yard reception, scoring the go-ahead touchdown.
Skylar Thompson (QB): 8/19, 95 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, leading two scoring drives despite an early interception.
Patrick McMorris (S): 3 tackles, 2 TFL, forcing a key third-down incompletion in Q1.

Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. (QB): 9/16, 104 yards, no turnovers, with a 41-yard pass to Blair in his NFL debut.
Chris Blair (WR): 2 receptions, 45 yards, including a 41-yard catch that set up a touchdown.
DeAngelo Malone (LB): 3 tackles, 2 stops on punt coverage, 1 stop on kickoff coverage, excelling on special teams.

Team Performance Context

Miami Dolphins (1-0 Preseason, 8-9 Regular Season by September 2, 2025)
The Dolphins, 1-0 in the preseason, rested 22 projected starters, including Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, to evaluate depth. Wright, McMorris, and Malik Washington strengthened their roster cases, while Thompson outperformed White for the backup QB role. Miami’s regular-season record is 8-9, with 237.4 passing YPG (13th) and 105.6 rushing YPG (21st).

Atlanta Falcons (0-1 Preseason, 7-10 Regular Season by September 2, 2025)
The Falcons, 0-1 in the preseason, rested Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson, focusing on Penix and depth players. Penix’s debut and Casey Washington’s catches were positives, but Koo’s three missed field goals and injuries to Hellams (ankle) and Trice (knee) were concerns. Atlanta’s regular-season record is 7-10, with Bijan Robinson’s 1,103 rushing yards a highlight.

Injury and Roster Notes

Miami Dolphins: Kion Smith (evaluated for injury, Q1); Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert (rested). No other inactives reported.
Atlanta Falcons: DeMarcco Hellams (ankle, carted off, Q1), Bralen Trice (knee, Q2); Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson (rested).

Conclusion

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 in their only 2024-25 matchup, a preseason game on August 9, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium. Jaylen Wright’s 6-yard touchdown run and Skylar Thompson’s touchdown pass to Jeff Wilson Jr. powered Miami, while their defense stopped Atlanta twice in the red zone. Michael Penix Jr.’s 104-yard debut and Chris Blair’s 41-yard catch kept Atlanta competitive, but Younghoe Koo’s three missed field goals and two turnovers on downs were decisive. Miami’s rookies, including Wright and McMorris, impressed, while Atlanta’s injuries to Hellams and Trice were setbacks. No regular-season game occurred in 2024, but a matchup is scheduled for October 26, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For detailed stats and recaps, visit ESPN, NFL.com, FOX Sports or CBSSports.com.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins Match Series Analysis: Historical and Preseason Overview