The Dolphins’ Week 8 matchup appears to be providing a curveball that could rewrite how Miami needs to play the game on Sunday

Kirk Cousins, not Michael Penix Jr., is expected to take the field for the Falcons at quarterback against the Dolphins. It creates a more static pocket for the Dolphins to have to defend and Penix Jr.'s arm strength figures to reduce the stress on Miami's defense to cover all areas of the field. But Cousins is a well-seasoned starter who will have every opportunity to play an efficient game against a defense in Miami that has struggled with too much open air underneath and a habit of conceding explosive plays in the run game.

The bad news for Miami is that this development could spur a heavier dosage of running back Bijan Robinson, too. Perhaps Cousins, with the extra time removed from his 2023 Achilles injury, will have a little extra bounce in his step this weekend than we saw from him last year. But Cousins is 37 years old, so it is hard to imagine him looking like too much of a threat with his legs or outside of play structure.

The Dolphins should have plenty of time to be prepared for the quarterback layer. Expect Cousins to be more efficient, but also more limited. Is that enough to change the math for Miami's defense and give them the advantages that they need to play winning football? We'll find out soon enough.

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