The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Miami Dolphins 17-12 in a preseason game on Friday night in Miami Gardens, Florida. The game attracted extra attention because Atlanta quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was playing against his former team for the first time after leaving Miami.
Tagovailoa received a mixed reception from the Miami crowd. Many fans booed him when he entered the field, but he still helped Atlanta score a touchdown during his first series.
Tagovailoa Starts Strong
Tagovailoa played the first three offensive series for Atlanta. He completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards, showing good accuracy during his limited time on the field.
His first drive was particularly impressive. Tagovailoa led the Falcons on a 60-yard drive, which ended when running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored on a 3-yard touchdown run.
The touchdown gave Atlanta an early 7-0 lead.
However, Tagovailoa’s night also included mistakes. During Atlanta’s second drive, he fumbled the snap, allowing Miami to recover the ball.
His third and final drive also ended with a turnover. Jackson Woodard of the Dolphins recovered a fumble near Miami’s 13-yard line.
Cooper Rush Takes Over
After Tagovailoa left the game, Cooper Rush took over as Atlanta’s quarterback. Rush completed 13 of 18 passes for 106 yards.
He also threw a touchdown pass to Jack Velling, helping the Falcons extend their lead to 14-3.
Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. did not play despite taking part in the pregame warmups. Penix had been recovering from a knee injury that kept him out since November.
Dolphins Struggle to Score Touchdowns
Miami had difficulty finding the end zone throughout the game. Riley Patterson provided most of the Dolphins’ points by making four field goals.
The Dolphins were unable to score a touchdown during the game, which made it difficult for them to catch Atlanta.
Miami used mostly reserve players, while Atlanta gave some of its starters playing time.
Quarterback Changes for Miami
Miami started Cam Miller at quarterback, but he struggled to build an effective attack. He completed only 7 of 16 passes before being replaced.
Mark Gronowski later entered the game and passed for 97 yards, but he also could not lead the Dolphins to a touchdown.
Miami’s Malik Willis did not play for the second consecutive week.
Kyle Pitts Makes an Impact
Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts was another notable player for the Falcons. He caught three passes for 59 yards while playing with the starting offense.
The Falcons were able to maintain their advantage throughout the game and eventually secured a five-point victory.
Regular Season Begins Soon
The preseason game gave both teams an opportunity to evaluate players and prepare for the regular season.
The Falcons will open their regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 13, while the Dolphins will face the Las Vegas Raiders on the same day.
For Tagovailoa, the game was an emotional return to the place where he spent the first six seasons of his NFL career. Despite two turnovers, his accurate passing helped Atlanta make a positive start in the 17-12 victory.