Miami Dolphins-Jacksonville Jaguars Week 1 Halftime Observations

Miami Dolphins-Jacksonville Jaguars Week 1 Halftime Observations

What stood out in the first half of the Miami Dolphins’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars:

— We’ll start with the inactive list, which was highlighted by three members of the 2024 draft class — Jaylen Wright, Mohamed Kamara and Malik Washington (quad injury). Also of note was that Jalen Ramsey was left off after he was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.

–The opening kickoff was the perfect example of how it should be done by the team throwing the kickoff. Jacksonville’s kickoff first bounced into the touchdown zone and then went out of bounds in the end zone for a touchback, giving Miami 20 yards for the season opener.

— While the run blocking wasn’t great on the first two snaps, kudos to right tackle Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg for leading the way on De’Von Achane’s 39-yard catch-and-run on a quick throw

— On a first-and-10, we saw Tua apply one of the lessons he learned last year, which was to quickly surrender himself instead of trying to weave through traffic while he was making his way. It’s a matter of short-term sacrifice for long-term gain. No problem here.

— We did have a problem with the Dolphins going for a first down on fourth-and-8 from the Jaguars 42 on that first drive. While we like aggressiveness, it seemed a little over the top early in the game. And we were saying that before Tua’s pass was incomplete.

— The defense made the failed gamble an irrelevant point, thanks to Calais Campbell. The veteran found a bootleg on first down, leading to an easy 13-yard sack on first down before bringing down Travis Etienne for a 1-yard loss on the next play.

— It could have been a memorable first drive for the defense on third down when Lawrence hit a pass over tight end Evan Engram, but Jordan Poyer didn’t react quickly enough after initially focusing on hitting Engram.

— The Dolphins’ second drive had one first down, but was sloppy overall.

— One of the low points was an incomplete pass when Tyreek Hill got wide open behind the secondary, followed by two bad plays by tight end Jonnu Smith, a drop on a quick throw, followed by an offsides call on third-and-10, a penalty that was called after Tua’s pass to Hill was incomplete when he was well covered.

— Punter Jake Bailey had a very good first half, with a punt that landed on the Jaguars’ 3-yard line and then bounced out of bounds at the 4-yard line.

— But the poor field position didn’t matter as the Jaguars went to great lengths to undermine the Dolphins defense.

— It started with two runs for 25 yards by Tank Bigsby and a 19-yard completion to Gabe Davis, who was wide open in the middle of the field.

— Jalen Ramsey, playing despite a hamstring injury, then took a hard beating from rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and made a clear DPI on a low throw, giving Jacksonville the ball at the 1-yard line.

— The Dolphins’ third drive was a three-and-out, thanks largely to a holding penalty on left guard Robert Jones.

— The second quarter started with Emmanuel Ogbah pressing up the middle to force an incomplete pass before the Dolphins had a chance on third-and-9 when Christian Kirk dropped an easy pass near the sideline.

— In an attempt to warm up the ball, the Dolphins let Tyreek Hill return a Jacksonville punt, but he got just 11 yards after a killer 67-yard punt by Jacksonville’s Logan Cook.

— Jaylen Waddle showed toughness and great focus on his 12-yard catch in traffic in the second quarter after the ball was tipped at the line. He had to leave the game to be evaluated for a head injury but was able to return.

— After the Dolphins closed in on a penalty for roughing the passer by Josh Hines-Allen, Durham Smythe threw an easy pass into the flat.

— And then Mike McDaniel decided to go for the first down again on fourth down, this time from the 45 and the result was the same.

— As expected, Ramsey didn’t play a full game, and rookie free agent Storm Duck took his spot opposite Kendall Fuller at times. Duck made a nice open-field tackle to stop Travis Etienne after a 1-yard gain, even though it was on a second-and-1 play.

— The failed fourth down cost the Dolphins the win this time after Christian Kirk ran past Kader Kohou and Jordan Poyer for a gain of 30 yards on third-and-8.

— On third-and-10 from the 13-yard line, Thomas again got behind Ramsey (this time in zone coverage) and caught a perfectly thrown pass from Lawrence for a touchdown and a 14-0 Jacksonville lead.

— Great job by Achane to turn a potential loss into a gain of 16 yards after catching an outlet pass.

— Tight end Durham Smythe had a very rough first half with a couple of drops and a false start penalty on third-and-1.

— Waddle had a third-down reception on the Dolphins’ final drive of the half, good for 20 yards.

— Achane was the Dolphins’ best offensive player, making good plays in the run and pass game.

— Achane capped that drive in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run, putting the Dolphins up 14-7 and breathing some life into the team after a very forgettable first half.

— However, the prevent defense allowed completions of 18 and 20 yards, allowing Cam Little to shoot a 53-yard field goal on the final play of the half to make it 17-7.