NFL
Typically, when they play at home in September, the Miami Dolphins have a home-field advantage with a little help from the summer heat. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, that factor kind of disappears when you’re playing another Florida team in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite that, the Dolphins open up at (-3.5) against the Jaguars who squeaked out a victory in their last matchup.
Miami will be looking for big gains from their star receivers as they enter the game with limited options. At one point this offseason the Dolphins had just 4 WRs on their roster. The ones they did pick up haven’t been there long enough to make an impact. Luckily for the Dolphins, they have speed no matter what position it comes from. Mike McDaniel has an offense in place where the Dolphins could line up running backs as receivers and still keep a speedy back in the backfield. Will the offense utilize De’Von Achane or Jaylen Wright split out as WRs while Raheem Mostert holds down the RB position? Three running backs who can burn by opponents opens up the offensive playbook.
If Miami chooses a more traditional approach, the offense shouldn’t hit a snag at all. Oppsoing defenses still have to line up against an offense that features Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, and Jonnu Smith. If Jacksonville finds a way to keep those playmakers contained, Durham Smythe and Tanner Conner have made enough plays at tight end to be productive members of this offense. Should all those things not go the Dolphins way, they still have a very physical TE in Julian Hill who teams still have to account for, but also adds a solid push in the run game. Mike McDaniel is too smart of a head coach to not find ways to keep the ball moving with that many options.
Defense is where the question marks come. Trevor Lawrence is no slouch for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a game that might not feature their best DB Jalen Ramsey, Miami may have to rely on Kendall Fuller, Storm Duck, and Ethan Bonner. Two out the three went undrafted and despite that, have become fan favorites as they’ve showed they belong all offseason. Both Storm Duck and Ethan Bonner have had their fair share of highlights but look to be tested against the Jags. If Miami can put the pressure on, Lawrence hasn’t proven he eliminate turnovers passing for 21 TDs last year vs 14 interceptions.
Still, there are many questions to be answered in week 1 vs the Jags. Will the offensive line prove they’re exactly as the coaches believed them to be? Will Anthony Weavers defense improve on last year’s mixed bag? How can the Dolphins elevate their offense to be a true threat in the AFC and hang with the Chiefs and Ravens? Find out Sunday at 1:00 PM EST.
