Adjustments outfox OC Sarkisian

Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke got the best of Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who was calling Sunday’s game from above in the coaches’ box rather than from the sideline as in previous weeks.

Everything that worked in the first half was taken away in the second as the Dolphins made the Falcons one-dimensional, then unleashed their athletic defensive line to overwhelm the Falcons in a 20-17 victory.

The Falcons ran the ball for 82 yards in the first half, but could only muster 18 in the second half.

They couldn’t block Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake and had to rely on quick passes or inside-cuts into the middle of the Miami’s zone defenses.

“I did OK,” said right tackle Ryan Schraeder, who was coming back from a concussion after missing the past two games. “I had some issues in pass protection with Cameron Wake, but nothing that can’t get corrected.” He wasn’t alone. The offensive line appeared overpowered at times, with the Dolphins making five tackles for losses, two sacks and seven quarterback hits.

“We just weren’t consistent enough, from an offensive standpoint at least,” center Alex Mack said. “They ate up a lot of the clock in the third quarter, so when you have those chances you have to make the most of them.”

Sarkisian didn’t adjust and couldn’t figure out how to get All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones loose. Jones, who doesn’t have a touchdown catch through five games, caught six of his seven targets for 72 yards.

“Just in-game adjustments from half to half,” Jones said. “Basically, they tried to make us one-dimensional and make us throw the ball.”

The Falcons’ second-half possessions ended with a punt, aborted punt, punt and interception, which was Matt Ryan’s seventh turnover of the past three games, including two straight losses.

“It’s on us. This is a player-led team. We have to find a way to win games and finish games. The coaches did their job. They put us in great situations. As players, we have to just go out there and finish games.

“We are not going to get divided, players to coaches and things like that or player to player. We are just doing our jobs. We just have to find a way to finish games, that’s it.”