Miami Dolphins rout the Falcons

Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins 2021 season is off to a great start. The Fins took care of business tonight with a 37-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in front of a nice crowd here in Miami Gardens. After last week’s preseason opener left much to be desired, tonight’s contest started to answer some questions Fins fans had coming into the season. We got our first hearty dose of first-string offense and defense and it did not disappoint. There’s a lot of hope and optimism after what we saw tonight. Let’s break it down.

Tua Train

The Dolphins first-team offense looked good. Like really good. Like Tua going 8-for-8 for 78 yards in the first quarter good. He’s the only player this preseason to have a 100% completion percentage and at least 5 pass attempts in the first quarter of a game. Granted, it’s only week 2 but we love to see it. Tua played the whole first half finishing with an impressive line of 16/23 for 183 yards and a TD. The second-year QB from Bama showed all the skill and none of the jitters one would expect.

“It’s a continued work in progress” said Tua post game

His pocket presence was on point. No forced bad throws into coverage. The one sack on the night was even the right call, as he had no one open. His progression reads were on another level as he spread the ball around including a gorgeous dime down the seam to Mike Gesicki.

🤐 MIKE.

📺 >> Watch on @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/QZCI4EacZN

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 22, 2021

The Tua Train runs on Gaskin

A QBs best friend is a proper run game. And I had my doubts on that coming into this season. I was hoping the Dolphins would use one of their early draft picks on a running back but that didn’t happen. So we now wait to see what the group of Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Malcom Brown can do. Gaskin came today to shut me up and I’m all about it. He was everywhere in the first half with his 10 touches and combined 71 yards. Sprinkle in 2 TDs and I’ll take that all season long. He showed some impressive composure on the night. The stats won’t do it proper justice but Gas was the gas tonight. His reading of the defense is what really stood out. Seemed like he knew where to be at all times.

Halftime from the Rock!@MiamiDolphins lead 14-3 over the #Falcons @Tua 16/23 183 1 TD #Bully @MylesGAS 10 touches 71 yds 2 TDs #Bully #FinsUp #Bullies #NoPhonies pic.twitter.com/LVV75quMSm

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) August 22, 2021

The defense will carry us

Last season it was our defense that carried us all year. Xavien Howard had a DPOY caliber season and we rode that to the finish line. This season the expectation is much the same. Having spent a first-round draft pick (#18) on University of Miami linebacker Jaelan Phillips. He finished the night with 2 tackles but it was Sam Eguavoen who had himself a night. The backup linebacker finished the night with 11 tackles and 4 sacks.

#SackLunch for 2 Points Please!@SamEguavoen13 came hungry. #FinsUp 23-3 6:20 left in the 3rd QT#SportsLemonade #NFLPreseason pic.twitter.com/a5FYXvA8yZ

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) August 22, 2021

The Falcons are looking at a rebuild year this season. And they had no Matt Ryan tonight who didn’t dress. With that, it’s still a pro-NFL team and they played their first team as well. Our boys came to play and took care of business. THAT’S what you want to see. THAT’S what separates the good from the great. THAT’S what Miami is building towards with this defense under the guidance of Head Coach Brian Flores. What really excites me after tonight’s game is how this offense is looking to take that next step and better balance this team all around. If Tua can continue to progress at this rate combined with our solid defense and great special teams, then get ready for some fireworks in 2021.