NFL Football
2025-10-26 - Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 8
Sunday 26th October 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
5pm (British Time)
Preview
They are still searching for some consistency to really feel like they can compete in the NFC South, but the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) are in touch with the two teams that hold a winning record.
This week they are going to have to play with a backup Quarter Back, but Kirk Cousins is hugely experienced and there has been a feeling that he underperformed last season by fighting through injury. He is expected to suit up instead of Michael Penix Jr, who has been struggling with an injury since the defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, but Atlanta have to be feeling pretty comfortable with Cousins behind Center.
It is unlikely to be a game in which Kirk Cousins is going to be asked to do too much if the Miami Dolphins (1-6) continue to play as poorly as they have been.
Mike McDaniel has stated that he still has faith in Tua Tagovailoa at Quarter Back, but it does feel like the future for both is very clouded. It would take something special for the Head Coach to keep his job, while the Dolphins could be picking high up enough in the next NFL Draft to bring in a new face to try and become the franchise Quarter Back instead of Tagovailoa.
The Offensive unit has struggled, but the Miami Dolphins have had massive problems Defensively and they are likely going to see a huge dose of Bijan Robinson.
The Running Back is going to be able to pound the rock with plenty of success against a Miami team that have been trampled in recent games, while Bijan Robinson has shown he can leak out of the backfield and become a big threat as a Receiver. It would be a huge failure for the Atlanta Falcons to put this game on Robinson's back and they should be able to keep Kirk Cousins in a positive position throughout the game.
Miami's Secondary numbers do not look so bad, but that is also because teams have not needed to move away from the run- in this one, Kirk Cousins can make plays against this opponent when he is needed and the Falcons should be able to move the chains consistently.
The pressure will be on the Dolphins to try and keep up- they can also run the ball with some success through De'Von Achane, but the absence of Tyreek Hill and Darren Waller could see the Falcons creep closer to the Line of Scrimmage. They will still have to respect the ability of Achane as a pass-catching Running Back, but the Dolphins look like a team that have completely lost their way and this could be another disappointing effort from them.
A problem has been the pass protection and the Dolphins could see Tua Tagovailoa rattled into a mistake or two that pushes this game firmly in favour of the NFC South team.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Atlanta Falcons 27-17 Miami Dolphins
