The Jaguars wilted in the second half in Miami in a 20-17 loss to the Dolphins. The warning signs were there in the first half.
The Jaguars led 17-7 at the break despite several sloppy penalties and mistakes. The worst exchange came late in the third quarter. With the Jaguars leading 17-7 and driving for what could have been a game-sealing victory, Travis Etienne had the ball knocked out of his hands at the 2-yard line. The ball bounced into the endzone and was recovered by the Dolphins. On Miami’s next snap, Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill on a deep cross that Hill turned into an 80-yard touchdown to draw Miami to within a field goal at 17-14.
Later in the quarter, the Jaguars had the ball back. On the last play of the 3rd quarter, facing a 3rd and 1, Tank Bigsby was stuffed for no gain. It was a flashback to last year when the Jaguars were among the worst short-yardage teams in the NFL.
Then, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Doug Pederson opted to go for it on 4th and 1. Instead of running at Miami, the play call was a wide run for Etienne who never had a chance. The Dolphins took over at the Jaguars 30-yard line. That led to a game-tying 42-yard field goal attempt that was missed wide left by Jason Sanders. The Jaguars dodged a bullet for a moment.
On the Dolphins’ next drive, they tied the game on a field goal.
That left the Jaguars with 4:22 to play in a tied game.
How did they respond?
Here’s how the next three offensive snaps went for the Jaguars. Tank Bigsby ran for no gain. Lawrence was sacked. Then he was sacked again. Three and out. Punt.
Miami took over with 2:09 to play. The Jaguars didn’t get the ball back. Sanders booted a 52-yard field goal as time expired to give the Dolphins their only lead of the game and the win.
The Jaguars’ failures were largely the same issues that plagued the team last season when they lost five of their last six games: penalties, turnovers and short-yardage failures.
After a three-and-out on the Jaguars’ first offensive drive, Jacksonville took the early lead. Starting at their 4-yard line, the Jaguars drove 96 yards for the opening score. The big play was a pass interference call on former Jaguars’ cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was beaten by rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The penalty set up Travis Etienne’s 1-yard touchdown run.
The Jaguars converted just two of 10 third-downs in the game while the Dolphins converted half of their 16 third-down opportunities.
The fact that the Jaguars lost the season opener on the road against a team expecting to challenge them for the AFC East title this season isn’t terrible. How they lost the game is troubling considering the way last season ended.
As always in the NFL, opening weekend produces overreactions. That being said, there is much to be fixed as the Jaguars look ahead to Sunday’s home opener against the Cleveland Browns.