Predicting the Final Score of Dolphins vs. Jaguars

By Alexander Christian @CouchGuyRants on October 23, 2014

The Miami Dolphins got back to .500 last week by demolishing the Chicago Bears, and the Jacksonville Jaguars left the ranks of the winless after taking down the Cleveland Browns, setting up some actual intrigue for this week’s matchup on the banks of the St. Johns River.

Ryan Tannehill had his coming out party last week against the Bears and showed the league that he can be deadly in Bill Lazor’s system. The offense as a whole performed brilliantly and gave rise to the notion that this Dolphins team is capable of making a run at the playoffs. That potential playoff run, however, will still be driven by the defense, anchored by an explosive defensive line and tough secondary which has been steady throughout the season.

Miami’s game plan against Jacksonville is likely to mimic last week’s strategy that torched Chicago. Expect strong doses of the run with Lamar Miller and quarterback runs by Tannehill, to set up the play action pass and open up receivers down field. The effectiveness of the running game will determine the success or failure of Miami’s passing game, as it goes up against a Jaguars squad that is second best in the league in sacks. If the ‘Phins can run the ball, look for Mike Wallace, Jarvis Landry and Charles Clay to be wide open down the field and exploit a defense that has been ripped apart through the air. To make matters worse for Jacksonville, the Jaguars are now missing star linebacker Paul Posluszny and defensive end Andre Branch, so it may be a very long day for the Jags.

Florida-grown duo Blake Bortles and Denard Robinson put together an absolute gem against Cleveland a week ago and gave credence to the thought that Jacksonville is an improving team whose stock is on the rise. Before the win over the Browns, the Jaguars had lost two close games, to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, respectively. Couple that with a defensive front that is excellent at rushing the passer and effective at stopping the run, and the potential for a respectable team is there.

Offensively, the Jaguars need to jump out on the Dolphins early. With the exception of last week’s game against the Bears, the Dolphins have struggled mightily in the first half, and as was evidenced by the losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, it is hard for the Dolphins to overcome an early deficit. Bortles and Robinson have a stiff challenge in front of them, however, as they go against the No. 4 defense in the NFL.

Simply put, this is a game that the Dolphins should win. The Jaguars’ offensive line is the worst in the league when it comes to giving up sacks, and the Dolphins’ defense will have its ears pinned back. Expect Bortles to go down early and often, and if the Dolphins can score early, the game should remain firmly in Miami’s control.

Prediction: Miami 27, Jacksonville 10