South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
How the Dolphins and Jaguars match up.
With slim hopes to stay alive, Dolphins should be able to defeat one of NFL’s worst
When the Dolphins pass:
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offense will face a Jaguars team which ranks sixth in total defense, one week after Miami’s abysmal outing against the Vikings’ fourth-ranked defense. Tannehill’s passer rating of 100.6 may rank eighth in the NFL, but his inability to deal with pressure, particularly on third down, has hindered the offense this season. Tannehill was sacked nine times (eight times in the second half ) for a loss of 71 yards last week, resulting in just 37 net yards passing against Minnesota. The Jaguars defense may not be as stout, ranked 28th with
28 sacks (the Vikings are first with 47), but it allows just
20.6 points per game. Still, Tannehill has performed better at home (128.0 rating, 71.3 completion percentage) than he has on the road (80.3, 59.8). Edge: Dolphins
When the Jaguars pass:
The Jaguars, a year after reaching the AFC title game, are moving on from quarterback Blake Bortles. Cody Kessler is Jacksonville’s starter and the Jaguars have scored only one touchdown in their past three games — the fewest TDs in a three-game stretch in franchise history. The other offensive scoring in that span has been four field goals in 31 possessions. The Dolphins defense — which ranks thirdworst defensively, surrendering an average of 402.3 yards per game — could have a performance that pads the statistics on Sunday.
Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins run:
Frank Gore, Miami’s leading rusher who suffered a left foot sprain against the Vikings, will not play in the final two games of the season. Kenyan Drake, who was once presumed to be Miami’s feature back, has been utilized as a receiving target out of the backfield and had only one carry against Minnesota. This means Dolphins rookie Kalen Ballage will continue his audition as running back of the future against the Jaguars. Ballage had a 75-yard touchdown run, finishing with 123 yards, as the lone bright spot on offense for the Dolphins last week. While the Jaguars defense ranks sixth overall, their run defense ranks 19th in the NFL, surrendering 119.6 yards per game this season. The Dolphins should be able to better establish the run on first and second downs. Edge: Dolphins
When the Jaguars run:
Leonard Fournette has been dealing with a foot injury, but has been cleared to play against the Dolphins. Whether the Jaguars plan to play their franchise running back in a meaningless game remains to be seen. But the Jaguars still have two more capable runners, backups T.J. Yeldon and Carlos Hyde, able to give Miami’s rushing defense (which is the secondworst in the NFL) trouble. The Dolphins are giving up 145.2 rushing yards per game (only the Oakland Raiders are worse at 146.4), and are coming off their fourth game this season where an opposing running back has run for a career high in yards. Edge: Jaguars
Special teams: Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders (16 of 17 FGs, 32 of 33 XPs) has been solid during his rookie season in Miami.
Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo (19 of 21 FGs, 19 of 20 XPs) is questionable with a groin injury that caused him to miss last week’s game against the Redskins. Both teams also have had to punt the ball plenty this season, with Jacksonville’s Logan Cooke punting 72 times, with a net average of 41.4 yards per punt and 32 placed inside the
20-yard line, compared to Miami’s Matt Haack, who has
76 punts at 38.7 net yards with 31 placed inside the 20. Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook, who has a punt return for a touchdown, could be the difference, but Miami’s special teams have been the strongest point on the team all season. Edge: Dolphins
Intangibles:
The Dolphins may not be technically out of playoff contention, but a win and some help from other teams around the league could keep their slim hopes alive for another week. Still, the Dolphins should be inspired to finish their home schedule out with an encouraging performance against one of the worst teams in the league. The Jaguars have lost nine of their past 10 games, and will likely look to draft a new franchise quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft one year after reaching the AFC title game.
Miami should improve to 7-1 at Hard Rock Stadium this season.
Edge: Dolphins
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Jaguars 6