Schedule: August 29, 7 p.m. ET

Stadium: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.

Line: Miami (-3.5)

Records can be deceiving during the preseason as the majority of the first two games are played by reserves and players who will not make their respective teams.

After two preseason games, the Miami Dolphins are 0-2 and the Atlanta Falcons are 1-1. Not great if you look at the final result. However, if you watched the games, both teams have been extremely impressive when the starting units were on the field. So both teams should face a stiff test when Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the Falcons travel to Miami to face Ryan Tannehill, Ndamukong Suh and the Dolphins.

It’s strength on strength when the Falcons’ offense faces Miami’s defense. It also will be interesting to watch when the Dolphins’ improved offense is on the field against Atlanta’s revamped defense led by new head coach Dan Quinn, who ran the Seattle Seahawks’ dominant units over the past two seasons.

The Dolphins have played well when Tannehill has been leading the offense, and opponents have had difficulty moving the ball against Miami’s first-team defense. The Dolphins lost 27-10 against the Chicago Bears in their preseason opener. Last week, the Fins fell 31-30 to the Carolina Panthers. In both games, the Dolphins’ starters dominated.

With Tannehill on the field, the Dolphins have scored touchdowns on three out of four total drives this preseason. Tannehill has been really sharp running the offense, going 18-of-22 for 158 yards and two touchdowns this preseason. When Tannehill left the game, the Dolphins were up 10-3 at Chicago and 14-0 at Carolina.

The Dolphins’ defense has been dominant as well. In four series with the majority of the staring defense on the field against the Panthers, the Dolphins forced an interception and two three and outs, while allowing zero points. In the opener, the Dolphins’ first-teamers allowed just three points when there was just a mix of starters on the field.

Facing Ryan and the offense of the Falcons will be a good measuring stick for the first-team offense. Suh, All-Pro Cameron Wake and the defense will get a good look against Atlanta’s high-powered attack. The secondary will also be tested as Jones is a monster on the outside, and Ryan has gotten the Falcons off to big leads in both games, completing 10-of-11 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

The Falcons also hope to get some looks for running backs Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman, who figure to battle for the starting role, or could be used in a rotation. Coleman, a rookie out of Indiana, has the speed and one-cut ability that should make him an enticing option in Atlanta’s zone-blocking scheme. Freeman, however, is also a youngster to look out for, and has already proven he can have success when given the opportunity.

Another position battle to watch is in the Dolphins’ secondary where Walt Aikens and Michael Thomas are competing for the starting safety spot with Louis Delmas out for the season due to a knee injury.

Both the Dolphins and Falcons have high hopes for the 2015 season. Right now, I see the Dolphins having a more balanced squad, as Tannehill and the offense have shown strides to better complement a strong defense. As long as Ryan is behind center, the Falcons will score points, but will Atlanta’s defense improve enough to help the Falcons return to true contender status? More answers will be revealed on Saturday night.

Prediction: Dolphins 27, Falcons 24