Jaguars Fail Critical Game 1 Test In Miami

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Miami Dolphins 20-17 on opening day. It was a devastating blow to the Jaguars, who built a 14-0 cushion over the high-flying Dolphins with just six minutes to go in the first half. The Dolphins Running Back Devon Achane scored a touchdown with just over a minute to narrow the gap to 14-7 but trailed 17-7 at halftime after a Cam Little field goal as time expired.

The Jaguars were on their way to salting the game away in the third quarter when Running Back Travis Etienne fumbled at the Miami Dolphins' 13-yard line. One play later, the nearly incarcerated Tyreek Hill caught an 80-yard touchdown pass to narrow the deficit to 17-14. The Dolphins' next three possessions resulted in Jason Sanders' field goal attempts. He converted two of three chances, and the Jaguars lost a game they had been firmly in control of until a critical turnover.

Photo byLance AsperonUnsplash

Defensive Report Card: B

The Jaguars' defense ultimately surrendered the game to Mike McDaniels' high-flying offense, but they deserved better. Jacksonville managed to stall the first four Miami drives and nearly shut out the Dolphins in the first half. Travon Walker sacked Tua Tagovailoa twice, and newly signed free agent Arik Armstead added a third. The defense overcame a Josh Hines-Allen roughing the passer penalty on the second drive of the game and still forced a punt.

The defense finally wore down after forcing two punts in the third quarter. After Hill's 80-yard touchdown, the Dolphins' final three drives ended in field goal attempts. The defense stopped the Dolphins on six drives and only surrendered two touchdowns. The Jaguars' defense did enough to win but came up short. It was a moral victory and a fantastic start to the season for Walker. Tyson Campbell sustained a hamstring injury and is out for a month, so the pass rush will have to produce while he is missing from the lineup.

Offensive Report Card: D+

Trevor Lawrence lost his status as the highest-paid quarterback shortly before kickoff on Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys inked Dak Prescott to a 60 million per year deal. Lawrence followed that up by losing the quarterback battle to Tagovailoa when he faded in the second half. The Jaguars quarterback engineered two impressive touchdown drives in the first half.

Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr made a significant impact by drawing a pass interference penalty on Cornerback Jalen Ramsey to set up the first touchdown and catching a second touchdown pass in the second quarter. Lawrence ended the half with an efficient response to the Dolphins' first touchdown with a six-play drive that ended in a field goal as time expired in the half.

Jacksonville had the ball six times in the second half and ran 20 plays. Etienne's fumble on the only productive drive by the offense in the second half was an unfortunate turnover. However, the other five possessions produced one first down, greatly aided by an offsides penalty. Head Coach Doug Pederson seemed to go into a shell as a play-caller. That, coupled with some genuinely awful throws by his quarterback and a key turnover, led to the loss. Thomas established himself as a weapon, but the Jaguars did not exploit his talent in the second half.

Final Thoughts

The Jaguars were not expected to march into Miami and win the opener. Jacksonville was a 3.5-point underdog heading into the game. However, after racing out to a two touchdown lead during what initially looked like a coming out party for their rookie receiver, it is hard to view this game as anything but a disappointment.

It doesn't get any easier for the Jaguars, who are set to host an angry Cleveland Browns team that was embarrassed at home by the Cowboys on Sunday. The offense will face one of the best defenses in the NFL last year and will have to produce a much better effort to even Jacksonville's 2024 record.

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Article originally written by Bob Quinn