Matt Ryan's methodical and prolific preseason continues as the Falcons get back in the August win column Friday Night in Miami. Below are a few of the noteworthy takeaways following the convincing 23-6 rout of the Dolphins.
- Atlanta out-gained Miami 362-246 in total yards in the game. The Falcons held the Dolphins to just 154 total passing yards en route to snapping a seven-game preseason losing streak. The Falcons now hold a 7-5 preseason series advantage over the Dolphins.
- QB Matt Ryan continued his strong preseason campaign on Friday night, completing 18 of 26 pass attempts for 220 yards with one touchdown and finished the contest with a 107.9 passer rating.
- On the team's second possession of the third quarter, Ryan led the Falcons offense on a 10-play, 66-yard drive and hit WR Roddy White in the back corner of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown strike. The score extended the Falcons lead to 16-3 and marked the third consecutive preseason game that Atlanta's first team offense left the game tied or with a lead.
- In three preseason games, Ryan has completed 75 percent of his passes (45 of 60) for 549 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for a quarterback rating of 111.0.
- WR Julio Jones posted a game-high 90 yards on four receptions, including a 49-yard gain on a pass from Ryan while the team was backed up inside their own 10-yard line. In just over 4 quarters of football this preseason, Jones has caught 13 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown.
- The Falcons defense got off to another fast start against the Dolphins, stopping Miami's first drive at midfield and creating a turnover on its second. LB Sean Weatherspoon tipped a pass from rookie QB Ryan Tannehill that S Thomas DeCoud intercepted at the Atlanta 26-yard line. DeCoud returned the pick 19 yards to the Falcons 45.
- In 2011, DeCoud notched a career-high four interceptions and ranked third on the team with 109 total tackles (76 solo). Three of his four interceptions came in the Falcons endzone and all four of his picks came inside the Falcons 20-yard line. DeCoud's interception set up a five-play, 28-yard drive that ended with a 45-yard field goal from K Matt Bryant.
- Bryant was again perfect on the night, connecting from 45, 44 and 51 yards. The 51-yard field goal is the longest road field goal Bryant has hit during his 11-year NFL career. It also ties his longest field goal as a Falcon.
- Last season, Bryant connected on 27 of 29 field goal attempts, including a string of 14 in-a-row to start the season. Between 2010 and 2011 Bryant set a franchise record with 30 consecutive field goals made.
- Atlanta's first-team defense also performed well in its longest outing of the preseason. Atlanta's starters held the Dolphins to just three points in just over a half of work. Facing first and goal from their own eight-yard line, the Falcons defense made three straight stops to force the Dolphins to settle for a short field goal.
- The Falcons defense held Tannehill, who was making his first professional start, to just 112 yards on 11 of 27 passing with one interception and a 37.9 passer rating.
- Atlanta revved up its pass rush against the Dolphins as DE John Abraham notched his first sack of the preseason, dragging down Tannehill for a seven-yard loss on a third down play. DE Lawrence Sidbury sacked QB Matt Moore and forced a fumble, which DE Cliff Matthews recovered.
- Undrafted rookie college free agent QB Dominique Davis once again made the most of his limited second-half opportunities. Davis completed two of three pass attempts for 53 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pass to WR Tim Toone. Davis has completed 19 of 32 pass attempts for 227 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 88.9 this preseason. Quarterback John Parker Wilson did not see any action in the game.
- Like the other 31 teams in the NFL, the Falcons must pare their current 90-man roster to 75 no later than Monday afternoon. In recent years, the club has made their cuts at least 24 hours prior to this deadline.
- Atlanta closes out the 2012 preseason slate Thursday night in Jacksonville against former Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's Jaguars.
