JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2024 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
BIG IMPRESSION
- The Jaguars dropped a winnable game against the Dolphins. Head Coach Doug Pederson's squad dominated for almost three quarters before losing momentum following a fumble by running back Travis Etienne Jr. The turnover sparked a 14-point swing that turned a potential 24-7 lead into a 17-14 dogfight that ignited the home crowd and sparked the home team. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Jaguars can take plenty of positives away from a game in which the defense stymied one of the most explosive offenses in football for almost 60 minutes. While the offense stumbled down the stretch following an impressive first-half performance, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Co. flashed enough scoreboard-breaking potential to build a dynamic offense that creates headaches for defensive coordinators around the league.
KEYS TO VICTORY
- The Jaguars lost to a potential playoff team due to self-inflicted mistakes – particularly turnovers, blown assignments and shoddy execution. While the Dolphins are a formidable offensive juggernaut with a world-class track team on the perimeter, the Jaguars went toe-to-toe with the explosive unit until a handful of miscues enabled wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to flip the field on a handful of deep balls that directly led to points. Offensively, the Jaguars' turnovers and poor execution in the second half cost the team a potential victory. From Etienne's fumble to the multiple failed third- and fourth-down conversions, the Jaguars failed to capitalize on several opportunities to blow the game open on the road.
TREVOR'S TIME
- The Jaguars' franchise quarterback looked the part despite modest numbers that fail to reflect his impact as a playmaker. Lawrence completed 12 of 21 passes for 162 yards with a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas, Jr. that showcased his exceptional arm talent and touch. The fourth-year pro routinely delivered pinpoint passes to streaking receivers running through tight windows in the Dolphins' defense. Wide receiver Christian Kirkdropped a pair of catchable passes that would've extended drives, but the quarterback's superb ball placement should be noted. While Lawrence is expected to make big-time throws when the game hangs in the balance, the Jaguars' QB1 played well enough to earn the "W" in South Florida
Swipe through top shots from our season-opener game in Miami. From the locker room, to the tunnel and all the emotions our photographers captured every moment.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Devin Lloyd (33), LB Caleb Johnson (57), LB Ventrell Miller (51) and LB Yasir Abdullah (56)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
K Cam Little (39)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Christian Kirk
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Gabe Davis
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Yasir Abdullah (56)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Devin Duvernay (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and LB Devin Lloyd (33)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
OL Mitch Morse (65)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Gabe Davis (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
S Andre Cisco (5) and S Darnell Savage (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB De'Antre Prince (24) and S Andre Cisco (5)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and LB Devin Lloyd (33)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16) and RB Travis Etienne Jr. (1)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
DT Tyler Lacy (93), OL Ezra Cleveland (76), DE Arik Armstead (91) and DE Myles Cole (59)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Yasir Abdullah (56)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
OL Cooper Hodges (75)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
S Andre Cisco (5)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Caleb Johnson (57)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Tyson Campbell (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
P Logan Cooke (9), CB Tyson Campbell (3), QB Trevor Lawrence (16), DE Josh Hines-Allen (41), TE Evan Engram (17), and LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Tyson Campbell (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Tyson Campbell (3), QB Trevor Lawrence (16), DE Josh Hines-Allen (41), TE Evan Engram (17), and LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16) and RB Tank Bigsby (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
S Darnell Savage (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Ventrell Miller (51) and LB Caleb Johnson (57)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
K Cam Little (39)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Tyson Campbell (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
S Andre Cisco (5)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
DT Tyler Lacy (93)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Jarrian Jones (22) and CB Tyson Campbell (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
OL Cam Robinson
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Devin Duvernay (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
DT Tyler Lacy
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Jarrian Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16) and OL Cam Robinson (74)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
DT Maason Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
HC Doug Pederson
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Tyson Campbell (3) and CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
OL Cam Robinson
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
K Cam Little (39)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
S Andre Cisco
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
K Cam Little (39)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CB Jarrian Jones (22) and CB Tyson Campbell (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
LB Devin Lloyd (33)
UNSUNG HERO
- Second-year running back Tank Bigsbydeserves a game ball for his performance against the Dolphins. The second-year pro thrived as a co-workhorse for the Jaguars with 73 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a 26-yard burst that showcased his outstanding vision, balance and body control. Bigsby's toughness and tenacity add a dimension to the Jaguars' offense as a sledgehammer willing to pick up the tough yards between the tackles.
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING
- The Jaguars' offense couldn't sustain the momentum from a strong start following Etienne's third-quarter fumble. Despite dominating the Dolphins for two-plus quarters utilizing a mix of runs and passes that kept the defenses on its heels, the offense fell apart in the final quarter when the game was on the line. The team's short-yardage shortcomings from the 2023 campaign showed up again with multiple failed third- and fourth-and-short conversions that prematurely ended potential scoring drives. In addition, the offensive line's failures in critical moments contributed to the four "three-and-outs" (or four-and-outs) that led to the second-half shutout of a unit that failed to get it done in the season opener.
DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING
- Despite the loss, the Jaguars' defense deserves high marks for their performance against one of the most explosive offenses in football. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen utilized a simplistic game plan that featured various man coverage tactics that stymied the Dolphins for most of the game. The heavy utilization of man-to-man coverage with a revolving door of young defensive backs speaks volumes to the effective teaching and training of the linebackers and defensive backs. In addition, the persistent pressure from the frontline showcased the promise of a unit that features three potential "blue chip" talents (Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead) in marquee spots. Though the Jaguars lost, the defense's Week 1 performance deserves a helmet sticker.
