Pro Football Picks: Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins

Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 9/22/13, 4:05 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Miami -1
Current Betting Line: Miami PK
Opening Total: 43
Current Total: 45
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Miami Dolphins will play their home opener after winning two games on the road to start the season

Atlanta has split its first two games of the 2013 regular season, as it comes off a 31-24 victory over the St. Louis Rams as four-point home favorites, while going OVER the betting total of 47.5. The Falcons are 4-7 all-time against the Dolphins, as they prepare to make their first trip to South Beach since 2005, which is important to consider when making your pro football picks in Week 4. Under head coach Mike Smith, the franchise picked up a 19-7 victory in the 2009 season opener at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta is 3-0 SUATS on the road when the total is between 42.5 and 45 points, with the OVER going 2-1 in that situation.

The Falcons are banged up heading into this affair, but they still possess some major firepower with wide receiver Julio Jones and quarterback Matt Ryan, who have connected 18 times for 258 yards through two weeks. Ryan threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the 2009 meeting between these two non-conference foes—completing five passes for 73 yards to veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Miami is focused on opening a season 3-0 for the first time since 2002, which is important to consider when looking over the pro football odds page. The Dolphins will be playing their first game at Sun Life Stadium, as they picked up road victories over the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns. “Any time you start 2-0 it’s a confidence builder,” commented Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler. Miami is 5-4-1 ATS as a favorite the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 9-1 in that situation.

The Dolphins compiled a 5-18 record in September the previous seven seasons, but second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill has the franchise trending upwards, as he comes off a 319-yard performance against the Colts. Miami got its signal-caller some new weapons during the offseason, including former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, who matched a career high with nine receptions and 115 yards last week.