Miami Dolphins Set To Open Regular Season Against Jacksonville

Miami Gardens, FL – Following a 2024 preseason full of ups and downs, the Miami Dolphins are set to begin their regular season campaign against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday, September 8th, at 1 p.m.

The preseason answered just enough questions about what to expect from this Miami squad and their starters, but still left much room for debate about who will get the nod.

Speed’s The Name

Miami’s offense will look to continue with familiar faces from 2023, with players like QB Tua Tagovailoa, RBs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, and WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It’s worth noting that Hill and Waddle were limited in practices up to a few days ago, but have been cleared for Week 1.

They look ready to go from the limited amount of action we saw for Tua and Mostert in the preseason. However, they’ll be accompanied by an offensive line with a lot of question marks that didn’t impress.

A look at the TD that capped Tua's first drive of the 2024 season, caught by River Cracraft in the back of the end zone. #GoFins | #FinsUppic.twitter.com/xJ8QX8eqqN

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) August 17, 2024

You’ll have the captain of the line, Terron Armstead, ready to go for Week 1 but his track record of mid-season injuries is too extensive to feel safe on. Patrick Paul looks to be a solid draft pickup that Miami could look to, but it feels like there haven’t been massive improvements made to a unit that had very shaky performances in 2023.

This could be the Achilles Heel of the offense, which has weapons galore and an accurate quarterback to boot. The offense prides itself on releasing the ball quickly, but it may feel like a necessity to avoid big hits on Tua, especially against a solid defensive line for Jacksonville.

Injuries The Game?

The Dolphins’ defense has a fresh face commanding them helm in Anthony Weaver, and a lot of the playcalling in the preseason has been solid, especially in the red zone. Now one, but two games were decided off of goal line stands by Miami’s defense.

But for as hit with injuries as MIami’s offense was, their defense was snakebit. While Jaelan Phillips will look to start the season in the backfield, Bradley Chubb will need to wait a few weeks as he’s been placed on the Injury Reserve.

The defensive line took a huge hit with the loss of Christian Wilkins, who has since joined the Raiders in Las Vegas but has added an experienced pickup in Calais Campbell. Zach Sieler also returns, but overall it’s going to be a different-looking group.

https://twitter.com/JakeTheEmcee/status/1814761372905058365/photo/1

Linebacker-wise, the team is in decent shape, with Phillips and Emmanuel Ogbah being key pieces. The sudden loss of Shaquil Barrett due to retiring is a setback, but first-round pick Chop Robinson could see some playing time. Once Chubb is ready to go, the depth of the linebacker room might be one of the best on the team. Combine that with Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer commanding the safeties, and that aspect of the defense looks fine.

The cornerbacks could be a concern. While Jalen Ramsey is a star player, he’ll be accompanied by a host of returners who’ll have to take up more responsibility, including Kader Kohou and Kendall Fuller.

Overall, the defense has big-name players and a new coordinator that could be the missing piece, but longevity will prove to be a big test for this squad, especially in a division that features solid offenses such as Buffalo and the New York Jets.

Hailing From Duval County

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2024 season off a 9-8 record in 2023, finishing in second place in the AFC South, just missing a playoff spot. They’ll likely have to battle it out with the Houston Texans once again to secure a Divisional championship.

Duval County will be led by Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, who has put up solid numbers during his time in the NFL. He has a solid deep ball and an accurate overall arm. His pocket presence and scrambling are okay, but he’s been susceptible to interceptions late in games.

Trevor Lawrence on 20+ yard throws last year:

🚀 96.6 passing grade (5th)
🚀 11 TDs (T-1st)
🚀 31 Big Time Throws (1st) pic.twitter.com/YlM98JBQ9Z

— PFF JAX Jaguars (@PFF_Jaguars) September 3, 2024

Up to this point, it feels like Lawrence hasn’t had a game-changing weapon to rely on, and that’s what has kept their offense from being great instead of good. Running back Travis Etienne, tight end Evan Engram, and wide receiver Christian Kirk are all solid pieces, but it doesn’t feel like there’s a player on Jacksonville’s offense who can put the team on their shoulders when everyone else isn’t clicking, including Lawrence.

Jacksonville’s defense is headlined by one of the best players in their respective positions – Josh Hines-Allen, the leader of their linebacker room. With 17.5 sacks last season, (Tied for the second-most in the NFL) Allen will look to have another productive and Pro Bowl-worthy season in 2024.

London’s favorite team also has a solid defensive line, with key players being Arik Armstead, Miles Cole, and DJ Coleman among others. All things considered, this is going to be a massive test for a shaky Dolphins offensive line.

🗣 Mike McDaniel on the Dolphins offensive line vs. the Jaguars defensive front: "I think they're a great group to start with because they're super-talented. If you're not on your game you will be exposed and that's something you have to get accustomed to in the NFL." #GoFins pic.twitter.com/m4u0P9z5GW

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 2, 2024

At first glance, Jacksonville’s secondary looks fine but nothing too special. Darnell Savage and Tre Flowers are good players, but their depth appears to be lacking.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a tough opening contest for Miami. Jacksonville is not a pushover and has players on their defense that could expose an offensive line that has not impressed.

They’re also from Florida, so that famous Hard Rock Stadium heat won’t have as big an impact on this game as, say, a team from the NFC North or the rest of the AFC East.

I do think Miami’s offense as a whole is more explosive and reliable than the Jaguars, and that might be the big key to this game. The Dolphins can make big plays out of the blue, meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence and the Jags have been limited by solid secondaries, which Miami has.

It’s an even contest, but the Dolphins have more star power, and that might be what lifts them in this matchup.

MIAMI – 35

JACKSONVILLE – 21

Date: Sunday, September 7th

Time: 1:00 PM EST

Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)

Location: Miami Gardens, FL (Hard Rock Stadium)

TV Channel: CBS

Betting Line: Miami -3.5