As the Dolphins look to make the leap from mediocrity, a pair of road wins and a victory over their in-state competition would be a boost. It’s time for the Jaguars to start producing victories, but they looked very similar to the group that managed just seven wins in head coach Gus Bradley’s first two seasons in their opening day loss. Miami goes for a fourth straight win over the Jaguars in what has been a historically low-scoring series with the teams cashing the under in the last five.
ODDS
The Dolphins opened as a 4-point favorite and the spread was quickly wagered to -5. Not surprising considering how the Jags looked in their season opening loss to Carolina. The total opened at 41.5. Both teams cashed the under last week and played below the total in each of the last five series meetings.
KEY INJURIES
Dion Sims – Sustained a concussion against Washington and is questionable as he works through the protocol. Miami had only two tight ends active against Washington and his absence forced the Dolphins to change out of their two tight end sets.
Luke Joechel – Left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. The Jags led the NFL in sacks allowed last season and gave up five to Carolina and can ill afford to have their starting left tackle miss any time. He was observed on crutches and in a boot following the loss. Sam Young replaced him and gave up one of the four second half sacks.
Rashad Greene – Will enter the NFL’s concussion protocol this week and his status for Sunday is in doubt. Greene had seven catches and a touchdown, but totaled just 28 yards with a drop that would have converted a Jags’ third-down.
KEY MISMATCH
The Dolphins scrambled on offense and couldn’t find a rhythm through the first 28 minutes of last week’s game. They managed just 17 yards and were down 10 points until Ryan Tannehill engineered an 80-yard touchdown drive just before halftime. The Dolphins added 10 points in the second half while blanking the Redskins to escape with a 17-10 win. Miami’s special teams proved to be a difference-maker. Jarvis Landry had the go-ahead touchdown on a 69-yard punt return and the Dolphins were solid in the kicking game. Rookie punter Matt Darr averaged 54.3 yards gross on four punts and kicker Andrew Franks nailed his lone field goal try and both extra points while delivering three touchbacks on his four kickoffs. Jaguars rookie kicker Jason Myers struggled, meanwhile, missing a 44-yard field goal and an extra point.
KEY STAT
5 – After leading the NFL in sacks allowed last season, the Jaguars are on pace to eclipse their 2014 total of 71 after surrendering five in a loss to the Panthers. Protecting quarterback Blake Bortles won’t get easier against Miami’s fierce pass rushers in Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake, among others.
BETTING ANGLE
Jacksonville is one of five teams to open the season with two consecutive home games and a pair of losses to start the season puts the Jags in a serious hole. Following Sunday’s game with Miami, the Jags hit the road for three straight at New England, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay. The road hasn’t been kind to the Jags, either, having lost all eight last season and nine straight going back to the final game of the 2013 season. So there is plenty of incentive for the Jags to get a victory or face a likely scenario that has them winless through the first quarter of the season. And that’s not good for the job security of coach Gus Bradley. The Dolphins have won the last three series games and four of five since 2003, winning all three games in Jacksonville while the teams have cashed the under in all five.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Jaguars did absolutely nothing offensively in their loss to Carolina and looked much like the team that was a disaster last season. The offensive line was a sieve, not playing like the upgraded unit it was supposed to be and, if Bortles doesn’t have time to throw, it doesn’t matter who his receivers are. The Dolphins weren’t impressive in their opener, but they got a win, and that’s what counts. Miami’s new defensive setup with Suh in the middle did enough to disrupt the Redskins, but they were vulnerable to Washington’s running game. The Jags will try to exploit that with T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson to take some pressure off their quarterback. But the Dolphins have more firepower and will come away with a cover win on the road.
Miami 23, Jacksonville 15
The NFL odds for this Sunday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Dolphins were pegged as 4-point chalk while the total opened at 41.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The game between the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars is slated for Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 4:05 p.m. ET at EverBank Field. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
