The Falcons were without quarterback Michael Penix Jr., top wide receiver Drake London and sacks leader Zach Harrison, among others, due to injuries.
Atlanta veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins made his first start since a Dec. 16, 2024, win at Las Vegas. Cousins, who appeared in only one game this season in a backup role, couldn’t rescue the offense against a Miami defense determined to contain running back Bijan Robinson.
The Dolphins kept the Falcons out of the end zone until Tyler Allgeier‘s 6-yard scoring run with 5:01 remaining.
“I mean, they went out and smashed us today,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “They had a beat on what we’re doing defensively. Had a beat on what we were doing on special teams. They did a nice job today. We did not.”
Penix was held out with a bone bruise on his left knee after being listed as questionable. Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Dolphins’ win came after last week’s 31-6 loss at Cleveland. Coach Mike McDaniel was rewarded for sticking with Tagovailoa after the quarterback was pulled in the fourth quarter of the lopsided loss. Tagovailoa entered Sunday’s game tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions.
“Any time you have an embarrassing outing as a team you can go one of two ways,” McDaniel said. “I didn’t see the negative way as being something that was on the table for this locker room.”
The Dolphins had no turnovers against the Falcons.
Robinson was held to 25 rushing yards and lost a fumble inside the Miami 20 in the third quarter. The crucial turnover came on a rare strong possession for Atlanta, which was stopped without a first down on four of its first five possessions.
The Dolphins outrushed the Falcons 141-45.
“We were trying to keep them one-dimensional,” McDaniel said, adding the game plan was set before he knew Cousins would start.
“It was a priority regardless of the quarterback,” he said.