The first full day of NFL football in 2024 is finally here, and the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 action.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game today.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins
- Start time: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, 1 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS
- Live stream options: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, CBS All-Access
- Radio Stations: 1010 XL 92.5 JAX Sports Radio, Dolphins Radio Network
- Starting QBs: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa
- Betting lines:
- Spread: MIA -3.5
- Total: 49
- Moneyline: MIA -166, JAX +140
Despite a hot start to the 2023 season, the Jaguars crashed and burned, losing five of their last six games to end the season with a 9-8 record. They fell shy of an AFC Wild Card berth and lost the AFC South title in the season’s final week.
QB Trevor Lawrence finds himself targeting practically a brand new WR room after offseason reshuffling. Calvin Ridley signed with the Titans in free agency, while Jacksonville released Zay Jones and Jamal Agnew remains a free agent after his contract expired.
The Jaguars made free agency moves with a reasonably empty cupboard, signing former Bills WR Gabe Davis and Ravens WR Devin Duvernay. They also drafted former LSU Tigers WR Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Christian Kirk returns and slides into the WR1 spot, proving he was worth his monstrous four-year, $72 million contract.
It’s not all unfamiliar for Lawrence, though, as he still has Travis Etienne Jr. and second-year RB Tank Bigsby in the backfield, as well as TE Evan Engram, who is experiencing a career renaissance in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Dolphins’ defense underwent a complete redesign due to free agent departures, signings, and changes to the coaching staff. After Vic Fangio joined the Eagles in the offseason to take over their defense, the Dolphins hired Ravens’ assistant head coach Anthony Weaver to take over DC duties.
However, Fangio wasn’t the only person who left Miami. Longtime DT Christian Wilkins signed a massive deal with the Raiders to man the middle of their D-line. CB Xavien Howard was cut after a few seasons of declining play and an inflated price tag. Even 2023 standout LB Andrew Van Ginkel joined Minnesota on what would’ve been a friendly deal for Miami’s roster. However, the Dolphins wouldn’t let the losses change their goals for 2024.
Still armed with top-tier talent in the secondary between Jevon Holland and Jalen Ramsey, Miami bolstered its secondary by bringing in proven veterans like CB Kendall Fuller and safety Jordan Poyer to strengthen the back end. The Dolphins also signed LB Jordyn Brooks to help David Long Jr. man the middle.
As for the offense, QB Tua Tagovailoa got his four-year, $212.4 million contract; now, he needs to deliver the franchise a playoff win that starts with a win in Week 1.
Jaguars at Dolphins Betting Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars were underwhelming last year and entered this season with major question marks after paying Trevor Lawrence before seeing if he has what it takes to lead them on a long playoff run.
The Dolphins were very impressive at home in the early part of last season, going 4-0 with a total of 174 points scored before their trip to Germany and their subsequent bye week. The Jaguars also started 4-0 on the road last year, including impressive wins in Buffalo and New Orleans.
For more betting analysis, make sure to check out PFN’s Week 1 picks and predictions.