It was not the high-scoring affair between two of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks some might have envisioned.
Instead, Jacksonville’s season-opening matchup with Miami dragged on from start to finish. Little by little, the Jaguars lost their grip on a 17-7 halftime lead until the Dolphins secured a 20-17 victory as time expired, completed by a 52-yard field goal from kicker Jason Sanders.
Four punts, one turnover on downs and one devastating fumble by running back Travis Etienne Jr. as he was yards away from scoring a third-quarter touchdown low-lighted the Jaguars’ second-half efforts at Hard Rock Stadium.
They followed a first half in which Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence went 9-of-14 passing for 125 yards and one touchdown, to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Etienne found the end zone and first-year kicker Cam Little connected on the first field goal attempt of his career.
After only scoring on its final possession of the first half, limited before that to under 4.1 yards per play, Miami capitalized on Etiienne’s fimble immediately with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finding receiver Tyreek Hill for an 80-yard touchdown pass the next play.
While he missed his first field goal attempt of the day, from 42 yards away, Miami kicker Jason Sanders nailed his next two tries, including a 52-yard game-winner as time expired.
“It was just kind of a tale of two halves, really,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the game. “You know, we made plays in the first half, they made plays in the second half. So, credit them.”
Jacksonville will host Cleveland in its 2024 home opener next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, at EverBank Stadium.