Week 1 NFL match up: Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons - Who do you think will win and why?

Boy Johnny, this is a lot harder to answer than it looks on the surface.

To anyone reading this, I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and have been a 'Dolfan' from the beginning, but a true hard core fan when Shula arrived. But, I now live in Atlanta...still a hard core Dolfan, but I do pull for the Falcons (expect when they play Miami). And, even trying to be as objective as possible, this is a hard one to call.

Pennington is a capable quarterback, but I've never felt he was the star that could pull a team like Marino did (I'm still mad that Dan never had a good running back, to support his passing ability)...Chad's got a great short game, but not much of a long one. But he seems to be the type of quarterback that some might think is an average NFL, quarterback, that when you add in an average NFL front line, with an average NFL running game and an average corp of NFL receivers, all of a sudden you end up with a top team...all the pieces of the puzzle just came right together last year. Let's all just hope they can improve upon that this year...with their schedule this year, they have to, to keep winning.

The Falcons quarterback, while still very young, seems to have both a good long & short game...and this could make the difference. I think when it comes to the running game, both teams match up well. I think both defensive teams will be pretty even, but having Taylor back really makes me feel great. I just hope he can have even just 1/2 the impact he's had in the past and that could make a very big difference. I think it's way too early to judge the special teams...especially field goal kickers.

The answer could all come down to how healthy both teams are when the season opens...hopefully no major injuries during pre-season for the Dolphins. If I was a betting person, I'd have to say the nod, maybe by 1-2 points, would go to Atlanta, with this being a home game.

That's not to say where my heart is, as I will be in the upper deck at the Dome, wearing my #13 Dolphin Jersey pulling for the Fins.

The Dolphins Will. They will go 6-10. The Falcons Will Go 4-12. Rookie Report: Matt Ryan 212-339 For 1,471 Yards 13TDs And 8ints. Jake Long:44Panckakes. 11sacks allowed Worst Team in The League: St.Louis Rams. 2-14 Best Team In The League:Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. 14-2 Best QB in The League: Peyton Manning: 257-376 For 3,455 Yards. 32 TDS and 7ints. Best RB in The League: Ladanian Tomlinson: 257 Attemts For 2,124 Yards 17TDs 3 Fumbles. Best WR in The League: Reggie Wayne: 124 Receptions for 1,278 yards and 17 TD's Best Defensive Player Deanglo Hall: 6 ints, 67 Tackles,5 Sacks,4TD's,4FR or Ray Lewis: 3 Int's,124 Tackles. 7FF 4FR.

The Dolphins. Joey Porter will have a great day against a bad O-line in Atlanta. The Dolphins added more play makers on defense with bringing back Jason Taylor, Gibril Wilson, and maybe Vonte Davis.

I think the Dolphins win their defense looks so much better than the Falcons and adding Pat White to that wildcat offense will make it all the funner to watch.

FINAL SCORE:

Dolphins-24

Falcons-14

Dolphins Falcons have lost so much on there LB Core and only added 1 good LB to replace

so i pick mia

I like Atlanta. They are at home and Miami's defense is yet to prove themselves. Atlanta will win because of the running game and QB play.

That's good game to start off the season with. I hope its on national tv.

Falcons will pull out to a small victory. The only reason Chad Pennington is so accurate he throws so short, never going long. Matt Ryan will win the team the game. I mean did you see him against the Bears? He threw like a thirty yard pass, to the sidelines, and then set-up a field goal. I see a 14-10 game.

The Falcons,

Its in ATL, and the crowd will be nuts in the dome coming off a playoff season. The running game with addition of pro bowl TE-Gonzalez, plus ATL had a good defense and stacked it through the draft this year. The fins are getting better, but not at ATL's level, yet.

I think this game will be Atlanta's. It will probably be a pretty close game throughout, but with Miami landing on the short end of the stick. Plus, Atlanta is at home for this one.

I hope the Falcons since I'm a Bills fan.