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The Falcons, healthy and coming off a bye week, and looked primed to prey on an struggling Dolphins team.
Instead, Atlanta fell 20-17 to Miami, blowing a 17-0 lead in the process and dropping their second straight game at home to an AFC East opponent.
Who’s up and who’s down in the loss?
Up
Wes Schweitzer
It looked as if right guard was going to be a major problem this season after the Chicago Bears’ Akiem Hicks took Schweitzer to task back in Week 1. That game has proven to be the outlier as the second-year player has played extremely well since, including holding Ndamukong Suh in check on Sunday.
Matt Ryan
Tipped interceptions are destroying the MVP’s numbers. The stat sheet shows he has six picks, but four of those have been bobbled off the hands of Falcons receivers. The fact of the matter is Ryan has been playing well with the only true struggle coming against the Buffalo Bills. He showed nice zip and accuracy against the Dolphins, although the performance didn’t result in a win.
Marvin Hall
In his first NFL game, Hall logged his first catch and his first touchdown on a 40-yard bomb in the first quarter. Good stuff.
Down
Matt Bosher
Atlanta’s typically trustworthy punter wasn’t at his best on Sunday. He badly shanked two punts and looked generally out of sorts.
Grady Jarrett
Jarrett decided to give the Dolphins a helping hand on their second touchdown drive. Deion Jones looked to have notched his second interception on the day, but it was called back because Jarrett was flagged for roughing the passer. Miami scored two plays later. Jarrett’s having a great year, but that was not a smart decision.
Steve Sarkisian
It seems painfully clear Sarkisian is in over his head. There is no reason an offense with Ryan at quarterback and Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman at the skill positions should ever be held to just 17 points and shut out in the first half. The rookie playcaller has to find a way to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers consistently. It doesn’t make sense for Austin Hooper to lead the team in targets, not does it make sense for an explosive player like Coleman just have just one target. Freeman shouldn’t have just nine rushes nor should Jones be reduced to a possession receiver. Sarkisian needs to get the ship righted — and fast.