The Miami Dolphins (1-6) hit the road for a Sunday clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they'll face the Atlanta Falcons (3-3).
Atlanta’s offense never found its rhythm against the 49ers in primetime, but that performance shouldn’t overshadow how strong the Falcons have been on their home turf recently. They’ve shown poise and balance in front of their own fans, something that's been missing when they travel.
As for Miami, things continue to spiral. The Dolphins looked flat in a 31-6 defeat to the Browns, struggling to sustain drives or find any spark offensively. Given their road woes and lack of consistency, it’s tough to imagine them finding much success against a Falcons squad that's been much steadier at home.
Atlanta Falcons vs Miami Dolphins kick-off time
The Falcons and the Dolphins will meet in Week 8 of the NFL season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday, October 26, starting at 1:00 pm ET.
Team news & squads
Atlanta Falcons team news
On the other side, the Falcons have their own injury woes. Defensive rookies Jalon Walker (groin) and Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) were both sidelined last weekend, with Bowman missing a second straight game. Linebacker Divine Deablo is expected to be out for an extended spell after fracturing his forearm against the 49ers. The team did, however, receive a bit of good news, offensive tackle Storm Norton had his 21-day practice window activated, paving the way for his return.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Tyler Allgeier were both limited participants with knee concerns, with head coach Raheem Morris confirming that Penix is dealing with a bone bruise.
Expect the Falcons to lean heavily on star running back Bijan Robinson, who's been nothing short of spectacular this season. Though he had a quieter outing last week, he’s poised for a big rebound against a Dolphins defense ranked dead last against the run.
For Penix, consistency remains the missing piece—his performances have been up and down despite having playmakers like Drake London and Kyle Pitts at his disposal.
For Miami, the mission is simple: limit the turnovers and rediscover some offensive rhythm. Achieve that, and the trio of McDaniel, Tagovailoa, and Grier might just buy themselves another week of breathing room.
For Atlanta, it's about setting the tone early, win the trenches, feed Bijan, and unleash Zach Harrison and Kaden Ellis to pressure Tua once the Dolphins fall behind.
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Miami Dolphins team news
After promoting Greg Dulcich from the practice squad, the Miami Dolphins now carry three tight ends on their active roster. However, Julian Hill remains the group's lone blocking specialist. If Hill's ankle issue keeps him sidelined for Sunday's clash with the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Miami is expected to elevate either second-year prospect Hayden Rucci or veteran addition Chris Myarick to round out the tight end room.
The most notable development at Wednesday's practice, though, was the return of rookie corner Jason Marshall Jr. He becomes the third player designated to return from injured reserve this season, joining Ethan Bonner and kicker Jason Sanders. While Bonner has already rejoined the active roster, Sanders remains shelved due to a nagging hip injury. The Dolphins are also expected to use IR return designations on guard James Daniels and tackle Austin Jackson, both of whom have been out since the Week 1 loss to the Colts.
Aside from Hill, the only other absentee from Wednesday's session was defensive back Elijah Campbell, who continues to nurse a quad injury that’s kept him out of the last two contests.
As for the matchup itself, Sunday's game in Atlanta carries more weight than it may appear. Head coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and general manager Chris Grier are all feeling the heat. Reports suggest Tagovailoa still has McDaniel’s confidence, and McDaniel retains backing from owner Stephen Ross—but the leash may be getting shorter by the week.
Miami's offense has sputtered badly, with Tagovailoa under increasing pressure and the absence of star wideout Tyreek Hill leaving a gaping hole in the passing game. To make matters worse, tight end Darren Waller is also expected to miss time following an injury sustained last week. Despite owning just a single victory, Miami somehow avoids the AFC East cellar—thanks largely to a couple of other struggling divisional foes.
The silver lining has been the explosive play of rookie running back De’Von Achane and the consistent spark from Jaylen Waddle, though their individual brilliance hasn’t been enough to reverse Miami's downward spiral.
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Watch and live stream Falcons vs Dolphins in the USA
The Falcons vs Dolphins game in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season will be broadcast live nationally on CBS. Fans can catch the coverage onFubo (Try for free today!) and Paramount+.
More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.
Watch and live stream Falcons vs Dolphins worldwide
For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.
To bypass regional restrictions or to access the game if you are travelling abroad, you can watch the action using a Virtual Private Network like ExpressVPN.
How to buy Falcons vs Dolphins tickets
Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.
Check the link below for the full breakdown of how to purchase tickets to NFL games.
READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information
Falcons vs Dolphins Fantasy Football
Tua Tagovailoa hit rock bottom on Sunday. The Dolphins quarterback turned in his worst performance of the season, completing just 12 of 23 passes (52.2%) for 100 yards, no touchdowns, and three costly interceptions. In a season that’s quickly spiraling south, Tua is averaging just 6.4 yards per attempt (24th in the league) and owns a turnover-prone 4.9% interception rate—third-worst among qualified quarterbacks, ahead of only Geno Smith (5%) and Jake Browning (6.5%). He’s failed to clear 205 passing yards in five of his seven starts, making him a risky QB2 play this week, especially as a massive underdog on a low-scoring offense.
The silver lining in Miami remains De’Von Achane, whose explosive playmaking continues to prop up an otherwise stagnant attack. His mix of breakaway speed and reliable receiving chops makes him a locked-in RB1/2 every week. Start him without hesitation—but don't be shocked if the Falcons key their entire defensive plan on keeping him in check.
Jaylen Waddle was invisible in the Cleveland downpour, managing just a handful of yards in a game where Tua barely cracked triple digits through the air. Blame the miserable weather, not the talent. Through seven games, Waddle has hauled in 30 receptions for 405 yards and three scores. Expect him to bounce back as a solid WR2 this week against Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. is nursing a bone bruise and remains "day-to-day." Early reports suggest he'll suit up, though Kirk Cousins could be on standby if there’s a setback. It’s been a sluggish sophomore season for Penix, who's averaging just 7.2 yards per attempt (QB17) and owns a meager 2.6% touchdown rate—better than only Cam Ward (1.7%). For now, he's a matchup-based QB2 until he proves otherwise.
As for the Falcons, Bijan Robinson continues to dazzle. Despite already having a bye, he ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (524) and is averaging an electric 5.4 yards per carry. Add in his 390 receiving yards—27th-best among all players—and you've got a bona fide dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses. Miami’s front seven will have its hands full trying to contain him.
And don't sleep on Drake London. After a quiet Week 7, the target magnet should bounce back in style against Miami’s shaky secondary. Even if Bijan goes wild for 200 yards, London's WR1 upside isn't going anywhere—he's still the heartbeat of Atlanta’s passing game.
Falcons vs Dolphins Game Predictions
If Mike McDaniel manages to keep his job heading into Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, his seat will only get hotter after this one. The formula for Atlanta to take down Miami is straightforward: feed Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson early and often, letting them pound away at a defense that’s been the worst in the league against the run. Meanwhile, the Falcons’ defense can make life miserable for Tua Tagovailoa by dialing up constant pressure.
Atlanta currently leads the NFL with a 33.9% blitz rate, and that aggressiveness could be the difference-maker on Sunday. If the Falcons stick to what they do best, running the football and disrupting the quarterback, they should have little trouble asserting dominance and cruising to a decisive home victory.
Falcons vs Dolphins Betting Odds
Spread
Dolphins +7.5 (-110)
Falcons -7.5 (-110)
Moneyline
Dolphins: +320
Falcons: -410
Total
46.5 (Over -115/Under -110)
Form
Head-to-Head Record
Useful links
- Falcons 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- Dolphins 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
- 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)


