MIAMI GARDENS — Skylar Thompson and a stern defense helped the Miami Dolphins usher in the 2024 preseason with a 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night.

Thompson completed 8 of 19 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted once. Miami’s defense, now run by coordinator Anthony Weaver, had two takeaways on an evening in which most of Miami’s first-stringers were spectators.

The victory wasn't secured until 1:04 remained. OJ Hiliare nearly came down with what would have been a 6-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Rourke but a replay confirmed he didn't get both feet in bounds.

Takeaways:

Skylar Thompson’s highs and lows

Thompson had four interceptions in the 2023 preseason and ended up losing the backup QB competition against Mike White.

We can’t be sure those four INTs cost Thompson the job, but they certainly didn’t help.

More: Early returns on quarterbacks Skylar Thompson, Mike White not encouraging for Miami Dolphins

Thompson loves to let it fly, which is both a strength and a weakness.

Friday night, he had a pass rusher in his face as tackle Ryan Hayes was unable to contain his man. Thompson let it fly anyway, trying to find Malik Washington, but Kevin King intercepted, giving Atlanta the ball on the Miami 16 and setting up Atlanta's only touchdown. The Falcons managed 226 yards.

Thompson had much more success on the next possession, finding tight end Tanner Conner to convert a third-and-5. Conner produced a 43-yard gain with the catch-and-run. Then, Thompson went through his progressions, not finding what he liked on the left side before flipping the ball to Jeff Wilson on the right for a 16-yard gain to set up a first-and-goal opportunity. Good poise.

Thompson wasn’t done. He beat a blitz to hit Wilson with a 6-yard TD pass.

Welcome to the Siran Neal show

Former Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal is showing early signs that he might represent a well-spent $2 million as a free agent signing.

Neal made the stop on the opening kickoff on the Atlanta 23-yard line.

He was just getting started.

Neal ended Atlanta’s second possession by stripping the ball from receiver Chris Blair and recovering at midfield.

The takeaway set up a 58-yard field goal by Jason Sanders — which has to be an encouraging sign for the special teams.

Neal also made the tackle on the 20 on the Falcons’ second kickoff return.

But he was seen heading to the locker room in the second quarter.

About the new kickoff rule …

Special teams coordinators will tell you it’ll take a while to sort out this new kickoff rule.

Friday night was proof.

The Falcons made it to the 23 on the opening kickoff. They made it to the 20 on their second after Carlos Washington dropped the ball.

It’s not much of a sample size, but combined with what we saw in joint workouts this week, it gives us pause on whether this new format is going to add anywhere near the excitement to the game that we were led to believe when the rule was announced.

Of course, safety was paramount for the competition committee. And the rule should have the intended effect in that regard — no small consideration.

Miami’s first kickoff return was to the 28.

Dolphins-Falcons preseason game marred by players needing medical attention

The first half took close to two hours to complete because of players going down and not coming up or coming up slowly.

Atlanta’s DeMarco Hellams, a third-year safety out of Alabama, set the tone on the first series with an injury that required the application of an air cast to his leg.

Neal and Conner were among several other players requiring attention. At a time when preseason games are being devalued in favor of joint workouts, the injuries add ammunition for the shift.

But keep in mind: Falcons receiver Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury on the final play of the second joint workout against the Dolphins.

This and that …

Cheyenne Morris, a flag football player, capably handled the national anthem. What’s particularly noteworthy about it? She’s only 10. … A couple of Dolphins who made defensive plays were Brandon Pili and Patrick McMorris, who made tackles for loss in the red zone. McMorris also made a tackle at the 1 to prevent a touchdown, although the Falcons still found the end zone a couple of plays later. McMorris had eight tackles to lead Miami, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. … CB Nik Needham had an athletic pass break-up against KhaDarel Hodge but also muffed a punt. … DT Isaiah Mack had the easiest fumble recovery he’ll ever get, falling on a snap fumbled by Taylor Heinicke. Jaylen Wright, the fourth-round pick, ran 6 yards up the middle on the next play for a touchdown, taking advantage of blocks by Conner, Washington, Hayden Rucci and Sean Harlow. … The virtual line-to-gain experiment was tested in the second quarter when a run by Thompson was initially ruled a first down but overturned after Atlanta challenged the call. The experiment attempts to make it more of an objective call, although spotting the ball after a tackle remains subjective. Got that?

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Instant takeaways as Miami Dolphins, Skylar Thompson beat Falcons 20-13