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Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons
Date: August 8, 2014
Start Time: 7:00 pm ET
TV: CW69 (local in Atlanta)
Radio: 94.1 FM and 790 AM (local in Atlanta), click here for local affiliate
Live Stream: NFL.com (Click here)
The Atlanta Falcons are home in the Georgia Dome Friday night as the Miami Dolphins invade for the first of four preseason games.
The Falcons will be front and center for the world to watch as they are featured in this year's 'Hard Knocks' series, so this game figures to be featured on next week's episode.
The storylines to watch for include the return of Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones from a foot injury, the beginning of offensive tackle Jake Matthews' career, the switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment and the Falcons' attempt to rebound from a 4-12 record in the season after reaching the NFC championship game.
As for the Dolphins, head coach Joe Philbin is on the hot seat this year. He needs to have Miami contending for a playoff spot this year, and a winning record would do a lot in keeping him for one more season at least.
As it stands, Miami is likely to start five brand new offensive lineman to start the 2014 NFL season. With center Mike Pouncey out for the first half of the season, the Dolphins will have five different faces on the offensive front from Opening Day last season. Miami sought to upgrade up the tackle position by signing Pro Bowler Branden Albert and drafting Tennessee's Ja'Wuan James in the first round.
After allowing an NFL-high 58 sacks a season ago, we'll soon know how improved the Dolphins' offensive line is.
For the betters among us, there are actually odds in preseason games. Las Vegas has installed the Falcons as 3-point favorites in the game.