MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jason Sanders. Hero.
The Miami Dolphins kicker boomed through a 52-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Dolphins past the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17. The Dolphins outscored the Jaguars 17-0 in the second half.
Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 37 passes for 336 yards and a touchdown to lift the Dolphins in the opener. The biggest play? Probably the Jevon Holland strip of Travis Etienne in the second half that changed the game.
The Full Tyreek Hill Experience
Tyreek Hill’s day began with him in handcuffs. Hours later, he was in the end zone celebrating with his hands behind his back.
Hill had an 80-yard touchdown catch and run late in the third quarter that got the Dolphins back in the game.
His celebration? Hill, who finished the game with seven catches for 130 yards, pantomimed being led off the field in ‘cuffs.
It was a bit of meta-commentary on his run-in with Miami-Dade police earlier in the day. Cops pulled him over and briefly handcuffed him during a traffic stop. Hill was ultimately released and able to start the game. Miami-Dade cops have since launched an internal review of the incident.
Jaelan Phillips, Welcome Back
The Miami Dolphins are a better team because Jaelan Phillips is healthy.
In his first game since tearing his Achilles tendon 10 months ago, Phillips was a major factor.
He saved his best for last, hounding Trevor Lawrence on back-to-back plays late in the fourth quarter. Phillips had a pressure that set up an Emmanuel Ogbah sack on second down and then dropped the quarterback on 3rd-and-long to force a punt.
What Was Doug Pederson Thinking?
I don’t care what the advanced stats say.
We’ll never understand Jaguars coach Doug Pederson electing to go for it on 4th-and-1 from his own 32 on the first play of the fourth quarter up 17-14.
It doesn’t matter that Sanders missed the ensuing 42-yard field goal. It was just a foolish coaching decision.
Assessing the Offensive Line
Here’s all you need to know about the Dolphins’ run blocking Sunday: Tagovailoa was the Dolphins’ leading rusher at halftime (11 yards on one carry). The Dolphins’ backs in the first half had 15 yards on nine attempts.
Robert Jones, who got the start at left guard, was called for two holding penalties. Each one doomed the drive.
The Jaguars spent much of the afternoon in Miami’s backfield. There’s no easy fix, particularly on a short week.
Too Much Smythe and Berrios
The Dolphins are missing a ton of wide receivers, but that doesn’t excuse how often Tagovailoa had to throw to Braxton Berrios and Durham Smythe, who had a brutal first half.
They were targeted a combined five times in the first two quarters and didn’t have a single catch but had plenty of drops. Smythe was particularly bad and apparently was benched for Julian Hill in the second half.
The Dolphins need to find better ways to get Jonnu Smith involved — fast.
Secondary a Primary Concern?
The Dolphins’ corners were a big question mark entering the game due to injuries to Jalen Ramsey (who played) and Cam Smith (who’s on IR).
Those worries were valid.
Ramsey was rusty, committing a defensive pass interference penalty on Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone and losing contact with Thomas on a touchdown catch late in the first half.
The Jags picked on Jordan Poyer early and often.
The lone bright spot? The fumble Jevon Holland forced on Travis Etienne Jr. to save a touchdown late in the third quarter that completely changed the game.
Ethan Bonner was a healthy scratch Sunday. We doubt he will be against the Bills in four days.