MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in a Week 1 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Ouch. This one hurt. A lot. The Jaguars on Sunday had an impressive, tone-setting Week 1 victory over a playoff contender all but secured late in the third quarter. Instead, they sustained a last-second loss that felt frustratingly and inevitably over as the Dolphins drove steadily toward a 52-yard game-winning field goal by kicker Jason Sanders as time expired. The Jaguars had momentum and a 10-point lead when they turned in their most impressive drive of the game late in the third quarter, but when safety Jevon Holland recovered running back Travis Etienne Jr. fumble in the end zone, the Dolphins gained moment they never lost. There were positives though for the Jaguars Sunday. A solid defensive effort. Very good run-blocking. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. But the NFL isn't about positives. It's about winning and they let a very winnable game against a good team get away Sunday. The Jaguars worked in the offseason to turn a young team that couldn't finish last season into a tougher, veteran team. We'll see how that veteran team responds this week.
2. The kid's going to matter – a lot. It's dangerous to draw conclusions after NFL Week 1, but it's not dangerous to say Thomas will matter a lot sooner than most rookies. Thomas, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, was increasingly impressive throughout training camp and preseason – and he showed significant production early Sunday, contributing to all three Jaguars scoring drives. He beat cornerback Jalen Ramsey deep and drew an interference penalty, setting up a one-yard run by running back Travis Etienne Jr. for a 7-0 lead. He then made a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown and a 14-0 second-quarter lead. His 18-yard reception started the Jaguars' field-goal drive that capped the first half. That's big, quick impact from a player who seems destined to make a big impact really, really quickly.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. The offense disappeared in the second half, and it's concerning. The Jaguars had one 94-yard drive in the second half. That ended with Etienne's fumble. Aside from that, they had only 17 yards and 12 in the fourth quarter. They also had minus 10 when they got the ball back with 4:22 to play and the game tied 17-17. The offensive line was fairly good, the passing game was fairly efficient, and the ground game was fairly solid – but none of it was good enough. Had Etienne scored instead of fumbling at the three, the outcome would have been different and we wouldn't be pointing out the offensive struggles in the second half. But he didn't, and we are. It's a big storyline this week.
2. The defense was really good for most of the game. The Jaguars gave up a explosive 80-yard touchdown pass, which Miami and wide receiver Tyreek Hill seem to do week in and week out. They also allowed 31 yards to Miami on the game-winning drive. But other than that, the defense played well enough to win Sunday. The numbers won't back up the claim that this defense is going to be really good. But if you watched the game, you know if the offense punches it in at the end of the third quarter, we're toasting the defense's debut under Ryan Nielsen.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. The more things change, the more they stay the same. We learned last season when times get tough, the Jaguars sometimes struggle. Adversity hit in a big way in the second half Sunday. Etienne Jr. looked like he had a clear path to the end zone before fumbling, giving the Dolphins a touchback. Hill immediately took it 80 yards in the opposite direction to cut the Jaguars' lead to three. In the fourth quarter of a tied game, the Jaguars once again failed to muster a first down and went three and out. The Dolphins were then able to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired. After this disappointment in Miami, it will be crucial to bounce back in Week Two against the Cleveland Browns.
2. Rookie watch. Thomas Jr. may be a bit quiet off the field, but his play Sunday came through loud and clear. Thomas' first NFL career touchdown came by way of a toe-tap in the back of the end zone to give the Jaguars a 14-0 lead early. It was a play that the rookie made look effortless even though it was anything but. Thomas also set up the first touchdown play of the day after drawing a pass interference call in the end zone against Ramsey. The two were caught on camera chirping at each other after the play before Etienne punched it in to make it 7-0. The rookie did not play like a rookie Sunday.