MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – This one hurt in multiple ways.

The Jaguars on Sunday afternoon lost to the Miami Dolphins, 20-17, in the 2024 regular-season opener at Hard Rock Stadium. It was a game the Jaguars could have won. It was one they maybe should have won.

It was a game they controlled for nearly three quarters, which meant a really good feeling because the Dolphins are good and the Jaguars looked good in controlling the game.

Then, running back Travis Etienne fumbled into the end zone. Then, what looked like was going to be a very secure 24-7 lead became a very shaky 17-14 lead when Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill turned a long pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa into an 80-yard touchdown.

The rest of the game had the inevitable feel that often goes along with such harsh turns of momentum in the NFL.

Yes, this one hurt. Good teams come back from these sorts of losses. The Jaguars must now show they're such a team.

Let's get to it …

Stan from Jacksonville

This game clearly showed how a game can ride on one play. Going from being nearly assured of victory, watching the HUGE momentum swing and seeing defeat, it's time to "fan". My heart is broken for this clearly improved team.

Good eye. Etienne's fumble was not the only reason the Jaguars lost, but the game does show how momentum and situation can rule all in the NFL. If the Jaguars score on that drive and go ahead 24-7, it's hard to imagine them losing. Once he fumbled and the Dolphins scored on the ensuing play, it was hard to imagine them winning. It was a brutal swing that completely changed the game.

Austin from Jacksonville

Logan Cooke is the best punter in the NFL.

Fair.

Jesse from Jacksonville

First week doesn't count, right?

Week One counts. The positive news for the Jaguars is Week 1 games are often weird and often don't set the tone for the season. A lot of good teams lose weird Week 1 games. But the Jaguars have lost six of their last seven games and now must prove they're a good team.

Big Jags Fan

Three yards from a 24-7 lead turns into a lost opportunity to win a game on the road against a good team. This one hurts even more because of the way the game momentum flipped in two plays. The defense looked deflated after the long pass and run to Hill.

It sure felt that way.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, after ETN's fumble in the end zone the Jags lost the wind in their sails.

It sure felt that way.

Tim from Fort Wayne, IN

I'm not sure I can think of a more painful way to lose in Week 1. To feel so in control of a game, just for it to crumble and fall apart, is incredibly gut-wrenching. That loss hurts. They have 16 more games, but that loss is going to haunt for quite a while.

This is a fair concern from this view. This was gut-wrenching, with a potentially tone-setting road victory turning into a deflating last-play loss. The Jaguars spent the offseason signing free-agent veterans to add veteran experience – and to give this team a winning edge. That experience will be tested after this one.

Dmiz

Going for it on fourth down on your own 33 is just sooooo dumb!!!!! WHY O, why???

This references Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson calling a running play to Etienne on fourth-and-one from the Jaguars 32 to start the fourth quarter. The Jaguars led 17-14 at the time. Etienne lost two yards on the play when he was initially stopped while running left and ran across the field before being tackled. Pederson following the game: "It was trying to stay on the field." The play didn't hurt the Jaguars because Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders missed form 42 yards. Was it unorthodox? Yes. Would I have done it? No. But as I have said since Pederson's 2022 hiring, he's going to go for first downs on fourth downs in unusual situations. When it works, it's cool. When it doesn't, it's not as cool.

Haney from Little Elm, TX

The Jags had only one drive of eight or more plays and six with four plays or less. Why weren't they able to sustain drives to use up the clock more?

There can be many reasons for this. The Jaguars struggled in this area at times last season because they struggled to run block in big situations. On Sunday, they had some big drops in big situations. That contributed to them converting two of 10 third downs. It's hard to win converting two of 10 third downs.

Anita from Springfield

Gotta love three new guys shutting down the Dolphins first drive. LFG!

This was the much-ballyooed, oft-overhyped, sometimes-giddy First Email of the Game. The Jaguars indeed stopped the Dolphins' first drive when Miami turned the ball over on downs. It felt big at the time because Miami had just picked up a third-and-13 with a 39-yard screen to running back De'Von Archane and the stop stopped momentum. And it was big. It just didn't seem nearly as big after a weird, frustrating second half.

Scott from Jax to De

Well, that sucked, O-man...

Well, yeah.