Jacksonville Jaguars vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats (Sep 8, 2024)

When Jason Sanders’ 52-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired on September 8, 2024, it capped one of the most dramatic season openers in recent memory. The Jacksonville Jaguars vs Miami Dolphins match player stats from this game show how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL – a comfortable 17-7 Jacksonville lead became a heartbreaking 20-17 defeat at Hard Rock Stadium.

Quick Stats Summary

Final Score: Miami Dolphins 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 17
Date: September 8, 2024
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Attendance: 65,582
Broadcast: CBS
Officials: Jeff Bergman (Referee)

Top Performers

Miami:

• QB Tua Tagovailoa: 338 passing yards
• WR Tyreek Hill: 7 rec, 130 yards, 1 TD
• WR Jaylen Waddle: 5 rec, 109 yards

Jacksonville:

• RB Tank Bigsby: 12 carries, 73 yards
• WR Brian Thomas Jr.: 4 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD
• QB Trevor Lawrence: 162 passing yards, 1 TD

Complete Team Statistics Comparison

The statistical breakdown shows how Miami overcame early struggles to secure victory through explosive plays and clutch execution.

First Half: Jacksonville Controls the Game

Jacksonville’s opening statement couldn’t have been more emphatic. Their first possession covered 96 yards in just six plays, featuring Tank Bigsby’s powerful 17-yard run and culminating in Travis Etienne Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. The drive gained momentum when rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. drew a crucial 41-yard pass interference penalty on veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey, immediately announcing his arrival in the NFL.

Miami’s offense, meanwhile, struggled to find any rhythm. The Dolphins turned the ball over on downs twice in the first half, with Tagovailoa missing Braxton Berrios on one fourth-down attempt and failing to connect with Tyreek Hill on another.

The Jaguars’ dominance extended beyond the scoreboard. They controlled both lines of scrimmage and limited Miami’s explosive passing attack, which had been expected to challenge Jacksonville’s secondary all game.

Game-Changing Third Quarter

Every football game has defining moments, but few are as stark as what transpired at 2:19 in the third quarter. Jacksonville had methodically driven 94 yards and stood at Miami’s 3-yard line, poised to take a commanding 24-7 lead. Travis Etienne Jr. took the handoff and headed for the end zone, victory seemingly within reach.

Then Jevon Holland arrived.

The Dolphins safety executed a textbook strip, punching the ball free just before Etienne crossed the goal line. The fumble bounced through the end zone where Kader Kohou fell on it for a touchback. According to ESPN’s game analysis, this play shifted Jacksonville’s win probability from 92.3% to under 50% in a matter of seconds.

What happened next defied belief. On Miami’s very first play from their own 20-yard line, Tua Tagovailoa launched a perfect deep ball to Tyreek Hill, who had gotten behind the defense. Hill caught the pass in stride and raced 80 yards for a touchdown, instantly transforming the stadium atmosphere and cutting Jacksonville’s lead to 17-14.

Impact Plays That Decided the Game

Quarterback Performance Analysis

The quarterback matchup featured two different approaches and outcomes, particularly in how each signal-caller handled adversity.

Tagovailoa’s performance was all about resilience. After a difficult first half that included two failed fourth-down conversions, he regrouped at halftime and delivered when his team needed him most. His 80-yard touchdown pass to Hill completely changed the game’s trajectory. In the final drive, with the game tied and time running down, he calmly completed a crucial 13-yard pass to Waddle that positioned Miami for the game-winning field goal.

Lawrence’s statistics require context to fully understand. He performed efficiently in the first half, completing 9 of 14 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in Jacksonville’s offensive philosophy. Following Etienne’s fumble, Lawrence attempted just seven passes in the final two quarters, completing only three for 17 yards. As noted in the Jaguars’ own game analysis, the conservative play-calling severely limited their ability to respond to Miami’s surge.

Complete Receiving Statistics

The receiving numbers show the contrasting offensive approaches and their effectiveness throughout the game.

Miami Dolphins Receiving

Jacksonville Jaguars Receiving

The disparity in production from key receivers proved crucial. While Miami’s stars delivered, Jacksonville’s established veterans Kirk and Engram combined for just 2 catches on 8 targets, failing to provide Lawrence with reliable options when the team needed to mount a comeback.

Rushing Attack Breakdown

Both teams found success on the ground, though Jacksonville’s inability to maintain their rushing attack in crucial moments contributed to their downfall.

Jacksonville Jaguars Rushing

Miami Dolphins Rushing

Tank Bigsby’s 6.1 yards per carry average showed Jacksonville’s ability to control the line of scrimmage early. However, their abandonment of the balanced attack after Etienne’s fumble allowed Miami’s defense to key on the run and force Jacksonville into predictable passing situations.

Complete Defensive Statistics

Defense played a pivotal role in this contest, with both units making game-changing plays at crucial moments.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense

Miami Dolphins Defense

The defensive statistics only partially capture the impact of key plays. Jevon Holland’s forced fumble doesn’t show prominently in the stat sheet, yet it was the game’s most important defensive play. Similarly, the back-to-back sacks by Ogbah and Phillips in the fourth quarter directly led to Miami’s game-winning possession.

Special Teams Performance

In a three-point game, special teams execution proved decisive, particularly the kicking game.

Field Goal Kicking

Jason Sanders’ journey captured the emotional swings of this contest perfectly. His missed 42-yard attempt in the fourth quarter could have haunted Miami, but he showed remarkable mental fortitude by returning to nail both a 37-yarder to tie the game and the dramatic 52-yard game-winner. According to CBS Sports’ game coverage, Sanders’ game-winner was his first walk-off field goal since 2020.

Punting Statistics

Both punters performed admirably in the field position battle, with Cooke’s 67-yarder in the first quarter helping Jacksonville maintain their early territorial advantage.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Breakdown

The scoring pattern shows Jacksonville’s offensive shutdown after halftime, as they failed to add a single point in the final 30 minutes despite entering the third quarter with a 10-point lead.

Key Statistical Insights

Several statistical trends emerged that explain Miami’s comeback victory:

1. Big Play Ability: Two passes (Hill’s 80-yarder and Waddle’s 63-yarder) accounted for 143 yards, representing 35.8% of Miami’s total offense. This explosive capability kept them in the game despite early struggles.
2. Third Down Efficiency: Miami converted 50% (8/16) compared to Jacksonville’s 20% (2/10). This disparity became particularly pronounced in the second half, allowing Miami to sustain drives while Jacksonville’s offense stalled.
3. Turnover Impact: Jacksonville’s lone turnover came at the worst possible moment. The goal-line fumble represented a potential 14-point swing that completely altered the game’s trajectory.
4. Fourth Quarter Defense: Miami’s defense pitched a shutout in the final quarter, recording two crucial sacks on Jacksonville’s last meaningful possession. As detailed in Pro Football Focus’s analysis, Miami’s pass rush generated pressure on 38% of Lawrence’s dropbacks in the fourth quarter.
5. Time of Possession: Despite trailing for most of the game, Miami controlled the clock for 33:10 compared to Jacksonville’s 26:50, limiting the Jaguars’ opportunities to extend their lead.

Individual Milestones and Notes

Several individual performances deserve special recognition:

• Jaylen Waddle displayed toughness by returning from a second-quarter injury to finish with 109 receiving yards, including the crucial 13-yard catch that set up the game-winning field goal
• Brian Thomas Jr. announced his arrival in the NFL by catching all 4 targets in his debut, including a touchdown against experienced defenders
• De’Von Achane proved his reliability as a receiver, catching all 7 targets while adding a rushing touchdown
• Tank Bigsby led all rushers with 73 yards on just 12 carries, showing efficiency that Jacksonville failed to capitalize on
• Christian Kirk and Evan Engram struggled when Jacksonville needed them most, combining for just 2 catches on 8 targets

For additional context on Miami’s offensive evolution, their matchup against Tennessee earlier showcased similar explosive passing capabilities.

Game Timeline: Critical Moments

First Quarter

• 4:31 – Etienne 1-yard TD run (JAX 7-0)

Second Quarter

• 6:21 – Thomas 14-yard TD reception (JAX 14-0)
• 1:04 – Achane 1-yard TD run (JAX 14-7)
• 0:00 – Little 53-yard FG (JAX 17-7)

Third Quarter

• 2:19 – Etienne fumble at goal line
• 2:08 – Hill 80-yard TD reception (JAX 17-14)

Fourth Quarter

• 13:33 – Sanders misses 42-yard FG
• 4:22 – Sanders 37-yard FG (Tied 17-17)
• 0:00 – Sanders 52-yard FG (MIA 20-17)

Final Analysis

This dramatic season opener between Jacksonville and Miami shows how quickly momentum can shift in professional football. Jacksonville executed nearly flawlessly for 40 minutes, controlling both lines of scrimmage and building what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. However, one fumble at the goal line triggered a complete reversal of fortune. Miami’s explosive offensive weapons, combined with clutch defensive plays and Sanders’ ice-cold kicking, transformed certain defeat into thrilling victory. For anyone studying the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Miami Dolphins match player stats, this game serves as a perfect example of why no lead is safe in the NFL until the final whistle sounds.