Here are three key matchups when the Dolphins (2-2) face the Falcons (3-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi vs. Falcons MLB Deion Jones: Ajayi surpassed 200 yards rushing in three games last season to help power the Dolphins to the playoffs with 1,272 yards rushing overall. He rushed for 122 yards on 28 carries in the season opener against the Chargers this season, and he gained 77 yards on 25 carries against the Titans last week. He has 76 carries for 261 yards. Jones leads the Falcons in tackles with 27. The Falcons are giving up 93 yards rushing per game, which ranks 11th in the league. "He's a hard runner, who plays behind his pads," Jones said of Ajayi.
Dolphins LT Laremy Tunsil vs. Falcons DE Adrian Clayborn: Tunsil's bizarre draft night is a thing of the past. He was considered a top pick before a video surfaced on social media of him blowing smoke from a bong. He slipped to the 13th pick in the draft, and the Dolphins pulled the trigger. He played well at left guard as a rookie last season, but the former All-American at Ole Miss is adjusting to left tackle this season. The hard-charging Clayborn has two sacks and four quarterback hits on the season.
“He’s had a couple of good games,” Miami coach Adam Gase said of Tunsil. “He’s had some games where we’ve talked about and that he’d liked to have played better in. The thing that we have to keep remember is that this is the first year that he’s playing left tackle in the NFL.
“It’s a tough position. You’re going against good rushers week-in and week-out. There is no small school that you’re going to play. There is no breather game for you in the NFL. Every game is going to be a tough game.”
Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh vs. Falcons RG Wes Schweitzer: Suh is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. However, he hasn't made the Pro Bowl since signing his mega-contract with the Dolphins. Stout against the run, Suh can still dominate. He has 10 tackles and one sack. Schweitzer had a bumpy start to the season against Chicago's Akiem Hicks, but has since steadied the ship, especially in the run game.
“They are a team that likes to get sideline to sideline, obviously,” Suh said. “A ton of stretching – stretch plays. A little bit of belly, just trying to mix it up for you.”
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