Falcons vs. Dolphins: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Week 3 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins is the perfect example of why the NFL has tremendous parity and is so difficult to predict.

Entering the season many would have predicted Atlanta to be on a roll with two wins after a postseason appearance, while Miami would have at least one loss. Yet here we are and it's the Falcons that have stumbled out of the gate and the Dolphins holding an undefeated mark.

Atlanta lost its first contest of the season in New Orleans before recovering for a Week 2 victory over St. Louis. Miami has been more than impressive after winning two games on the road to start the season.

Miami now returns home and welcomes the explosive Atlanta offense led by Matt Ryan to town. Both teams desperately need the win for divisional purposes, with Miami needing to keep pace with New England in the AFC East and Atlanta being unable to fall further behind New Orleans in the NFC South.

Here are all the details fans should know about the critical contest.

When: Sunday, Sept. 22, at 4:05 p.m. ET

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Bovada)

• Over/Under: 44 1/2 pts
• Spread: Miami (-3)

Falcons Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Akeem Dent	LB	Shoulder	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Roddy White	WR	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Julio Jones	WR	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Peter Konz	C	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Cliff Matthews	DE	Neck	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Steven Jackson	RB	Hamstring	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Asante Samuel	CB	Thigh	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Sam Baker	T	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Jonathan Babineaux	DT	--	Did Not Participate In Practice	--

 

Dolphins Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Paul Soliai	DT	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Dannell Ellerbe	LB	Ribs	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Ryan Tannehill	QB	right Shoulder	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Chris Clemons	S	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Mike Pouncey	C	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Dimitri Patterson	CB	Groin	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Pat Devlin	QB	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Jamar Taylor	CB	Groin	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
John Jerry	G	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Will Davis	CB	Toe	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Jimmy Wilson	S	Groin	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Dion Jordan	DE	Shoulder	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Koa Misi	LB	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Nate Garner	T	Shoulder	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Olivier Vernon	DE	Thumb	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Mike Wallace	WR	Groin	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable

Can Miami Put Pressure on Matt Ryan?

Matt Ryan is well-known as one of the NFL's best, and his crop of weapons includes, but is not limited to, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Ryan seemingly had little trouble throwing for 678 yards and four scores in two games.

While this seems like an advantage heading into a contest with the Dolphins, Ryan needs to keep his head on a swivel during an encounter with one of the NFL's best pass-rushing teams.

Miami has already accumulated nine sacks in two games, 2.5 of those belonging to elite defensive end Cameron Wake. Randy Starks, Dion Jordan and quality depth allow the Dolphins to apply adequate pressure consistently on quarterbacks.

Even worse for Ryan? His offensive line has been shaky at best. The line improved in Week 2, but Ryan has already been sacked five times. Bleacher Report's Alessandro Miglio summed up the situation nicely:

If Miami can frustrate Ryan consistently, the Falcons are going to have a difficult time winning on the road and the Dolphins will remain undefeated.

Prediction

This game has the propensity to swing either way, which has very much been the story of Atlanta's season to this point.

Expect Miami to apply consistent pressure as the Falcons' offensive line will have issues containing both Wake and Jordan. The Atlanta secondary has struggled containing speedy receivers like New Orleans' Kenny Stills (86 yards) and St. Louis' Chris Givens (105 yards), so expect Mike Wallace to have a big day.

At home Miami is a tough out, especially riding this wave of momentum as a properly balanced and composed team. The Dolphins win via a strong defensive effort led by cornerback Brent Grimes.

Final Score 

Dolphins win 27-20

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling