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Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 1 game
By Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY,
2 days ago
The Miami Dolphins were one of the NFL's most fun teams to watch a season ago. Can they keep the good vibes rolling in 2024? On paper, you'd certainly think so. This offseason only saw the Dolphins improve on the offensive side of the ball. They added halfback Jaylen Wright in the draft and although Odell Beckham Jr. is hurt to start the year, he'll surely add something to that locker room when he returns to the field.
Opposite the Dolphins this weekend will be the Jacksonville Jaguars . The Jaguars were expected to take a massive leap forward last season, but instead they barely finished second in their own division. They had the same record as an Indianapolis Colts team led by Gardner Minshew . With that in mind, it's hard to envision a 2024 season more disappointing. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has yet to break out as the generational talent everyone tagged him as years ago. Hopefully, the addition of rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. will add more to their offense than Calvin Ridley did last year.
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) catches a pass ahead of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the first half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Jay Biggerstaff, Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
I get the sense Miami understands that its window to win is right now. Mike McDaniel should have Tua Tagovailoa and this offense humming, and I think the Dolphins are being undervalued this season. They’re notorious for starting hot (before fading late in the season), so I really like the Dolphins to cover this line, which I would even take up to 4.5.
Tyler Dragon: Dolphins 28, Jaguars 24
This intrastate matchup could be one of the best games of Week 1. Doug Pederson, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars are looking to rebound after last year’s collapse. But Jacksonville is going to have a tough time slowing down Miami’s speed on offense. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will be matchup problems for Jacksonville’s secondary.
Safid Deen: Dolphins 27, Jaguars 24
The Dolphins might get a big play or two from Tyreek Hill, but they are a top-heavy bunch with lack of talent in the trenches. The Jaguars could capitalize with a steady diet of running back Travis Etienne Jr. pounding the football in a close battle.
Richard Morin: Dolphins 35, Jaguars 20
The line has been slowly creeping in Miami's favor all week and I think it's a safe bet regardless of how high it gets. The recipe is here for a somewhat surprising blowout between a high-octane Dolphins squad and a Jaguars team that should still be a playoff contender. Jacksonville, however, won't have their best stuff in this Week 1 bout.
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