2010 NFL Preseason: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins Preview and Pick

The preseason continues on Friday night as the Atlanta Falcons fly south to take on the Miami Dolphins.

BetMania has listed the NFL sports betting odds for this game and have the Dolphins are one point favorites. Sign up at Bet Mania and contact customer service with the NFL preseason promo code REGAW and get a free $50 bet on the game.

It is quite obvious that winning in the preseason is important to Miami Head Coach, Tony Sparano.

The Dolphins are one of the most successful preseason teams in the NFL. They have rattled off nine straight preseason victories dating back to 2008. This year one of the reasons they are doing so well is the development of quarterback Chad Henne.

The young quarterback has completed 16-of-25 pass attempts for 170 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the preseason. Newly acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall is starting to get familiar with the system and Henne as evident by the four catch, 65 yard performance in the last preseason game.

Marshall is more than a one dimensional wide out and provided quality run blocks up to this point in the preseason. Backed with a double threat running attack, the Dolphins offense looks ready for the regular season.

The Falcons could learn something from the execution of the Dolphins offense. The Falcon offense has struggled in the preseason and the first string offense has yet to get into the end zone. This game becomes crucial for the Falcons with the regular season drawing closer. Last week the running game was successful behind workhorse Michael Turner, but this week they will want to balance the running game with the passing game.

The third game of the preseason is used by coaches as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. The teams prepare for the opponent with scouting reports and the starters go much deeper in the game than they have in the past two. The Dolphins will play Henne and the starters into the third quarter to allow them to learn halftime adjustments. After that Chad Pennington will come in as the backup, and Tyler Thigpen the third-string quarterback.

The Falcons get a boost tonight as they will get Jerious Norwood and corner Dunta Robinson into the game to see action for the first time all season. This will give the team depth in the running game and on a defense that was torched by the Patriots in week two of the preseason.

Prediction and Pick:

Falcons Head Coach Michael Smith is looking for one thing in this game from his team and that is consistency.

“It’s the biggest tune-up in the preseason in terms in terms of number of snaps our guys are going to play and we want to see them play well,” Smith said.

The problem for the Falcons is they are not as deep as the Dolphins are on offense and they are slowly bringing new players back into the rotation.

The Dolphins on the other hand, like to win in the preseason. They are deep at all offensive positions and will mix in a good dose of blitzes from the defense tonight. The match-up between Brandon Marshall and Dunta Robinson will be a good one to watch in this game. When the dust settles, the Miami Dolphins will win again in the preseason.

Pick: Miami Dolphins -1

The third week of the preseason is the one week that most resembles the regular season so sit back and enjoy the show!

Other NFL Week Three Preseason Articles

Week Three Preseason Must See Games

Colts at Packers Preview and Prediction

Chargers at Saints Preview and Prediction

Pittsburgh at Denver Preview and Prediction