Dolphins come back from 17 down to shock Falcons
By John Buhler
The Miami Dolphins stun the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon in Week 6, 20-17. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and the final score.
The Atlanta Falcons blew a 17-point lead at halftime to fall at home to the underdog Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon, 20-17. Atlanta was held scoreless in the second half by an energized Miami defense. Miami improves to 3-2 on the year, while Atlanta falls to 3-2 on the season.
Atlanta got its 17 points on Marvin Hal’sl touchdown reception from Matt Ryan, a Tevin Coleman run and a Matt Bryant field goal. Miami got its two touchdowns in the third quarter. Jay Cutler would find Kenny Stills and later Jarvis Landry on both scores. A pair of Cody Parkey field goals would tie the game and then later take the lead.
Atlanta would drive inside of three minutes before Ryan would throw an interception to Atlanta native and former Georgia Bulldogs standout safety Reshad Jones. It has not been pretty, but the Dolphins have won three games this season and stay alive in the AFC East race. Atlanta hasn’t won in almost a month. That was a complete letdown in the second half and everybody knows it.
Miami may have figured something out. The Dolphins had great success running the football on the Falcons. Jay Ajayi had a great day for Miami with 26 carries for 130 yards on the ground. It opened up a few passing lanes for Cutler to exploit in the second half to carry Miami to victory.
Maybe the Falcons are suffering from a bit of a Super Bowl hangover after all? The team had several miscues and drew a lot of laundry in this game. That lengthy drive by the Dolphins that resulted in the Stills touchdown probably tired the defense too soon in this ball game. Dan Quinn needs to regroup with his team, as that collapse was embarrassing.
Not to say that the Dolphins are going to win the AFC East, but they might be closer to that wild card team many of us thought they would be entering the year. Miami should celebrate this victory, while Atlanta has to come to grips they will be playing New England on Sunday Night Football in week in Foxborough.
Three Stars
- Jay Ajayi: Ajayi had 26 carries for 130 yards.
- Reshad Jones: Jones had seven tackles, five solo and a game-sealing interception.
- Deion Jones: Jones had 11 tackles, six solo and an interception.
Highlights
https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/919623668388397057
Next Game
Miami will host its division rival in the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon in Week 7. Kickoff from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on October 22. FOX will have the telecast.
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Atlanta has its biggest game of the year up to this point in Week 7. The Falcons will meet their Super Bowl 51 nemesis in the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Foxborough. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium will be at 8:30 p.m. ET on October 22. NBC will have the national broadcast.