Phins face a different Falcons this week
The recent injury report has the Miami Dolphins facing the Atlanta Falcons’ offense with a very different look this week. Michael Penix, Atlanta’s burgeoning young quarterback, is hampered by a bone bruise in his knee, has been limited in practice, and is listed as questionable for Sunday. That means Kirk Cousins, a longtime veteran, will take the helm for the Falcons against Miami.
This change at quarterback brings both good and bad news for the Dolphins defense. Either way the Phins must win, but the reality is whether Penix or Cousins, this will be a steep, uphill fight.
Penix Out, Cousins In!
In some ways this is good news for the Dolphins defense, because they won’t have to face the quarterback that’s been guiding this offense this season, who is bigger, and more mobile. While Cousins is a veteran who has had some very good seasons, he hasn’t seen action since last year and struggled enough to get benched.
Regardless of who the Atlanta quarterback is, the game will come down to the Falcons Top 5 rushing attack powered by stud runner Bijan Robinson against our league worst run defense. Not only are they a Top 5 in rush yards but rush attempts, so they will relentless pound the Phins defense that has proven it will shatter under a committed rushing attack.
So, whether Penix or Cousins, they just need to not screw up and add a little to the run production. Cousins can read quicker and has seasons more reps than Penix. So, while Cousins might be rusty, if fear him more than Penix, who is still learning and a bit inconsistent at time.
Can We Get Some Run Game of Our Own?
The only way not to overexpose this terrible defense is to keep them off the field. You can bet with the best pay per head that while Mike McDaniel needs more talent, he also needs to coach better. The Phins currently rank 30th in rushing attempts and 29th in yards and 31st in time of possession. This ugly soup has been a big reason for the 2025 Dolphins struggles. If a defense has issues, the worst thing you can do is leave them on the field all day.
Yes, this offensive line and secondary blockers suck. But back when Chan Gailey was Miami’s OC in 2020, we had poor talent, but he found a way to run the football, getting the Phins rush attempts to 16th best that season. This kept opposing defenses honest and our defense off the field. McDaniel has shown he doesn’t have the wisdom and fortitude to be like Gailey…
…but McDaniel better or he’ll will find himself 1-7 after Sunday’s game.
But maybe that’s the plan?
Go Phins!!!