Miami Dolphins 17, Atlanta Falcons 6
Here are the biggest takeaways and highest-graded players from the Miami Dolphins' 17-6 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons:
Quarterback grade: Matt Ryan, 44.4
Falcons QB Ryan puts forth a disappointing effort
Ryan finished the night 12 of 22 for 129 yards with zero touchdowns and one red-zone interception. Ryan should have thrown another interception, and when he was pressured against the Dolphins he only completed two of his seven passes (28.6 percent).
Top offensive grades:
OG Andy Levitre, 77.3
OG Ben Garland, 76.5
QB Matt Schaub, 75.6
C Alex Mack, 74.9
WR Nick Williams, 74.0
Interior offensive linemen helped keep the pocket clean
New center Alex Mack only allowed one QB pressure on 24 pass-blocking snaps. Guards Andy Levitre and Ben Garland both only allowed one pressure on the evening as well, and graded positively as pass protectors. Mack is joining an offensive line that earned solid grades last season. The Falcons could be underrated up front in 2016.
Top defensive grades:
LB LaRoy Reynolds, 84.4
CB Jalen Collins, 79.1
CB Desmond Truant, 77.8
DI Grady Jarrett, 77.5
CB Brian Poole, 77.3
CB Jalen Collins holds up well in pass coverage
Jalen Collins was targeted only once on nine coverage snaps, and he managed to break the pass up. Reynolds had a well-rounded effort with a coverage grade of 82.2 and a run defense grade of 78.0 against the Dolphins. Grady Jarrett’s run defense grade was 78.8, as he used his quickness to disrupt plays.
Get the Falcons' complete, in-depth 2016 season preview right here.
Quarterback grade: Ryan Tannehill, 71.7
QB Ryan Tannehill shows off his dual-threat ability
On the Dolphins' first offensive play of the game, they ran an inside zone read. Tannehill decided to keep the ball himself and ripped off a 22-yard gain, sending a message to teams that he is a threat to keep the ball on zone-read runs. Tannehill didn’t have a productive game as a passer, however, as he only completed two of six passes that were targeted farther than nine yards downfield.
Top offensive grades:
OT Ja’Wuan James, 80.2
OT Branden Albert, 79.5
QB Zac Desert, 75.1
OG Jermon Bushrod, 74.7
TE Dominique Jones, 73.8
The starting tackles were perfect pass protectors
Ja’Wuan James and Branden Albert both didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure on 31 pass-blocking snaps against the Falcons. Newly signed running back Arian Foster forced one missed tackle as a runner and added one more as a receiver, showing he still has the ability to make people miss. O-line play was an issue for Miami this year, but perhaps the return to health of Albert and the drafting of Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil (slotted to play guard this year after starring as a tackle for the Rebels) will make this a much stronger unit in 2016.
Top defensive grades:
LB Koa Misi, 84.7
SS Reshad Jones, 82.4
LB Neville Hewitt, 81.1
S Michael Thomas, 80.2
CB Byron Maxwell, 80.1
Dolphins' back seven puts up some impressive numbers
LB Koa Misi was targeted twice in coverage and both passes were caught, but for only a total of five yards. He produced an 84 coverage grade. SS Reshad Jones had an 82.7 coverage grade, as he was targeted twice, and he didn’t allow a reception. He also had an interception.
Get the Dolphins' complete, in-depth 2016 season preview right here.
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