Game Report, 2024 Week 1: Dolphins 20, Jaguars 17

8 days ago

jaguars.com

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – This was weird at times, and wild at others.

Mostly for the Jaguars, it was really frustrating because what mattered on a sun-splashed South Florida Sunday afternoon that opened the 2024 regular season in front of 65,582 at Hard Rock Stadium was this:

Jaguars vs Dolphins - Figure 1 — Photo jaguars.com

"We just kind of gave it away," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said, with defensive end Josh Hines-Allen adding of the Dolphins: "Kudos to them. They came out and executed their plan well. They got the dub."

Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders converted two field goals in the final five minutes – the second from 52 yards as time expired – to cap a steady comeback. The Jaguars led by 14 points in the first half, leading 17-7 at halftime and until two minutes remained in the third quarter.

"It was just kind of a tale of two halves, really," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said. "We made plays in the first half. They made plays in the second half. So credit them."

The Jaguars missed a chance to take a 24-7 lead late in the third quarter when running back Travis Etienne Jr. fumbled from the Dolphins three into the end zone, where safety Jevon Holland recovered to give Miami possession at its 20.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa started the comeback on the ensuing play, passing for an 80-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

"Turnovers are killers, especially down in the red zone," Lawrence said. "Stuff like that is going to happen at times. No one's pointing fingers. We still had plenty of time in the game."

The Jaguars, after scoring 17 first-half points, were shut out in the second half. The drive on which Etienne fumbled was their only extended drive of the second half.

Jaguars vs Dolphins - Figure 2 — Photo jaguars.com

"It feels terrible to be 0-1," Jaguars center Mitch Morse said. "But what can you do except march on, attack the next work week, be very critical of yourself but also make it constructive? I thought they came out in the second half and made some good in-game adjustments.

"We were three and out, three and out. It puts a lot of stress in the defense. I thought the defense played really good game against a hell of an offense, and we have to do more. That's a frustrating thing."

Lawrence threw a touchdown pass, and the Jaguars' run defense was impressive much of the game against one of the NFL's best and fastest offenses. The running game was strong, too – but not enough for the Jaguars to win their second consecutive regular-season opener.

Running back Tank Bigsby rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries, and the Jaguars outrushed Miami 128-83.

Lawrence completed 12 of 21 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, with a second-quarter touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas a key play in a strong first half for the Jaguars.

Etienne had a touchdown run, with rookie kicker Cam Little's first career field goal giving the Jaguars a 17-7 halftime lead. Tagovailoa completed 23 of 37 passes for 336 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.

Jaguars vs Dolphins - Figure 3 — Photo jaguars.com

The Jaguars' defense in coordinator Ryan Nielsen's debut registered three sacks and no turnovers, allowing 400 total yards – including 317 passing. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead registered a sack for the Jaguars, with defensive end Travon Walker registering two.

"We beat ourselves today," Hines-Allen said. "They had a lot of good players, but at the end of the day, I don't feel like they beat us. I think we beat ourselves to put them in a position to capitalize off of it. Kudos to them. They're a heck of a team. Hopefully we see them down the road."

Jaguars 2024 Season Opener Step-By-Step:

Etienne Jr.'s one-yard run gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter. The play was set up when Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey was called for interference while covering Thomas in the end zone. Etienne's touchdown capped a six-play, 96-yard drive that began with a 17-yard run by Bigsby. The Jaguars' defense stopped an early Miami threat by stopping the Dolphins on downs at the Jaguars 42 on the game's first series. Dolphins running back De'Von Achane turned a screen pass into a 39-yard gain on third-and-13 from the Dolphins 17. The Jaguars pushed the lead to two touchdowns with their second impressive drive of the half. They moved 55 yards on eight plays, with Lawrence capping the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Thomas – whose athletic reception while getting two feet in bounds was one of the more spectacular receptions in recent Jaguars memory. The play gave the Jaguars a 14-0 lead with 6:21 remaining in the second quarter. Achane's one-yard run with 1:04 remaining in the half cut the lead to 14-7. Little's 53-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter made it 17-7. Both teams missed opportunities in a back-and-forth third quarter, with Walker sacking Tagovailoa out of field-goal range on a key third-quarter drive to keep the lead at 17-7. That marked the Dolphins' third possession past midfield with no points. Etienne fumbled into the end zone on the ensuing drive, with Miami recovering for a touchback and the Jaguars' lead remaining at 10 with 2:19 remaining in the quarter. Tagovailoa passed 80 yard to Hill on the ensuing play to make it 17-14, Jaguars. Sanders' 37-yard field goal with 4:22 remaining made it 17-17.

Notable Moments: Week 1 JAX vs. MIA

Jaguars vs Dolphins - Figure 4 — Photo jaguars.com

Daniel Thomas, a veteran safety and top special teams player, was among six inactive players for the Jaguars Sunday. He was ruled out Friday with an Achilles issue. The Jaguars' other five inactives Sunday: Offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, offensive lineman Javon Foster, defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo, defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter.

In-Game Injury Report

Cornerback Tyson Campbell sustained a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.

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