ATLANTA, GA – The Dolphins enter this contest with their last glimpse of hope in making the playoffs. At this point, there’s probably no chance of making it with a loss here. All they can hope for then would be to save some jobs.
Regardless, both the Dolphins and Falcons are coming off week 7 losses. With both teams searching for a bounce-back victory, here’s my week 8 preview between the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.
Dolphins Players to Watch
Jaylen Waddle
With Tyreek Hill down, Waddle has since been the next man up at the wide receiver position. He’s had some good games, but the past two have been disappointing. He needs to have a breakout game on Sunday, because without him, this team lacks offensive depth.
People thinking Jaylen Waddle is only worth a 2nd + 5th are driving me INSANE
26, 3 years of team control on a fair contract, and causes no issues inside the locker room
His blend of speed + route running is UNMATCHED pic.twitter.com/ivyQnW2Jae
— Nic Rohloff (@nic_rohloff) October 16, 2025
Chop Robinson
Robinson hasn’t lived up to the hype this season. The edge rusher has just seven tackles, six pressures, and a sack. He needs to change that and at least get a sack on Kirk Cousins. Chop Robinson hasn’t played more than 25 snaps since week 1.
Chop Robinson ‘24 rookie film
Met high expectations as a designated pass rusher for the Dolphins last season. 7 sacks and 56 pressures is big time production. Barely 22 years old—he will only get better from here 🐬 pic.twitter.com/PJoHgYZdxr
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 7, 2025
Jordyn Brooks
He will be relied upon heavily to stop the Falcons’ run game. Brooks needs to control Bijan Robinson early in the game because if not, things will get out of hand. If he can be stopped, then it’ll be up to Atlanta’s passing game to save them, which hasn’t always been the best.
Jordyn Brooks in trail on Mason Taylor in the slot.
Few athletes at Brooks' density can move through space with such a low center of gravity. Helps him keep proper position maintenance through the rep relative to his safety help. pic.twitter.com/3D511wbhS8
— under zone x (@cmikesspinmove) October 2, 2025
Falcons Players to Watch
Bijan Robinson
Miami has the worst rush defense in the league, allowing 159.3 rushing yards a game. The defense has been so atrocious that they have allowed two backup rushers to have field days earlier this season already. Robinson is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 65 receiving yards per game.
Bijan Robinson needs 86 yards to reach 1,000 rushing and receiving yards for the season.
He’s played in 6 games. pic.twitter.com/BfL7WTOq3A
— Rise Up Bijan (@RiseUpReader) October 25, 2025
Drake London
London will be targeted a ton against a struggling secondary. The Dolphins have given up seven touchdowns to receivers, which spells trouble in the red zone. He is 6’4, which will make it difficult for his opponents to cover him, and he has already been targeted 63 times this season.
Drake London: he had a disappointing WK7 with just 4 rec | 42 yds. He’s still averaging elite targets with almost 11 a game this season. The talent + volume ensures production. He has just 2 TDs but had 9 TDs in 24’. TDs and big games are on the way! pic.twitter.com/zFkfxjKgfv
— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) October 24, 2025
Jessie Bates III
Atlanta features the top-ranked passing defense in the NFL, thanks to players like Bates. The Falcons are currently allowing 141.2 passing yards per contest. He has 39 tackles and a quarterback hit in 2025, and he certainly won’t make Tua Tagovailoa’s job easy.
Jessie Bates echoes what MANY NFL defenders have said:
Take away his first read and he will become Tua Turndaballova.pic.twitter.com/B1zinHGz3X
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) October 24, 2025
The Outcome
How will the Fins perform this weekend with all the locker room turmoil going on? Tagovailoa has called out teammates, and Mike McDaniel has responded with his own choice of words. It all starts with Miami’s leadership. Tua Tagovailoa was benched in the 4th quarter against the Browns due to his poor performance on the field. He and the team need to come out stronger this Sunday after last week’s embarrassment in Cleveland.
The Falcons are 3-3 and have had themselves an up-and-down season. Their highlight of the season has been a win against the Bills, and they’ve shown they can’t be slept on. Things won’t get any easier for the Fins, and it’s hard to count on them picking up a win considering how the season has gone for the 1-win team. The strengths for the Falcons outweigh the little that the Dolphins have remaining.
Dolphins: 19
Falcons: 31
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