The Miami Dolphins hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Preseason finale for both clubs. This game was the final tune up for both teams as they prepare for the start of the regular season in two weeks, as well as the last chance for players to make an impression on the coaching staff ahead of next week’s roster cuts.
The Dolphins were not perfect in the game, but they came away with the win and now move on toward roster cuts and regular season preparation.
Final Score
Jacksonville Jaguars 6 – 14 Miami
Dolphins
First Quarter Recap and Reactions
Miami is beginning the game with their starters on the field, giving them a chance to get in a little game action before heading to the sidelines and turning the game over to the depth players. The Jaguars, meanwhile, did not play most of their starters.
Jaguars first possession
On the opening snap, linebacker Chop Robinson found himself at Jaguars quarterback John Wolford almost as quickly as the ball, recording a nine-yard sack to start the drive. A false start penalty on second down pushed the Jaguars back even more, ultimately leading to a 4th-and-1. Wolford picked up the first down on a sneak. An incomplete pass forced by linebacker Willie Gay, Jr., getting into Wolford’s face, a blown up run attempt by linebacker Bradley Chubb, and an incomplete pass on third down led to a Jaguars punt – with wide receiver Malik Washington returning the kick 14 yards.
The Dolphins defense is flying all over the field right now. They are a little too fast at times, over-running the play, but they are getting after it. It is the Jaguars’ second-team offense, so there is a grain of salt that has to be included in this, but it is good to see the team getting out there and making things happen – including having linebacker Robinson, Chubb, and Jaelan Phillips all on the field together.
Dolphins first possession
The Dolphins opened with the ball on their own 23, but moved backwards when rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea was called for being downfield on a screen pass to Washington that would have picked up 11 yards. The drive essentially stalled there, despite Washington picking up nine yards on 2nd-and-15. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sacked on the third-down play and Miami was forced to punt on a three-and-out possession.
Not the start the offense wanted, especially with the Miami starters against the Jaguars second-team. Hopefully they will send them back out there to try to find a rhythm before being shut down for the day.
Jaguars second possession
The Jaguars’ offense started at their own 24-yard line, quickly moving out to the Dolphins’ 44-yard line, headlined by two 10-yard runs. On 3rd-and-1, an errant shotgun snap flew over Wolford’s head and Jacksonville lost 23 yards, leading to a punt.
That is two long runs from Wolford. Miami has struggled with running quarterbacks in the past, and this is not a good sign heading into the regular season. They need to tighten that up quickly.
Dolphins second possession
Miami’s offensive starters returned to the field, but they may as well have stayed on the sideline. Rookie running back Ollie Gordon, getting the start due to injuries to De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, picked up five yards on first down, but Tagovailoa was sacked on second down. An incomplete pass on 3rd-and-10 led to a second-straight three-and-out punt for the Dolphins.
That was ugly.
Jaguars third possession
The Jaguars began the drive with an illegal use of the hands penalty, dropping them into a 1st-and-20. A short pass picked up the penalty yardage after a missed tackle, but the defense stiffened after that. After a one-yard run, Phillips and Chubb met at Wolford to split a sack and force the punt.
The Dolphins’ pass rush is going to be scary if they can get Robinson, Chubb, and Phillips all producing sacks. Add in defensive tackle Zach Sieler and this could be fun.
Dolphins third possession
Miami picked up eight yards on a pass from Tagovailoa to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, followed by a Gordon run for three yards and the team’s first first down of the game. The quarter ended with the drive.
Second Quarter Recap and Reactions
Dolphins third possession (continued)
After the break, Miami picked up four yards on a Gordon run, but two incomplete passes set up a 4th-and-6. The Dolphins elected to go for it, with Tagovailoa finding Washington for seven yards and the first down. Back-to-back Gordon runs for nine and five yards set up the Dolphins at the Jaguars’ 25-yard line. Washington caught a short pass, juked back to his right, and found the endzone on the next play. Miami went for two and converted on as pass to tight end Pharaoh Brown.
Dolphins 8-0.
Not a perfect drive, but it was effective and put points on the board. Clearly Tagovailoa and Washington have a connection that should pay dividends into the regular season. Kicker Jason Sanders is in the locker room and Miami may have to go for two throughout the game if he is injured and cannot get on the field.
Jaguars fourth possession
The Jaguars replaced Wolford with Seth Henigan at quarterback as both teams started pulling players and moving to the younger, depth players who are trying to make the team. Starting at their own 38-yard line, Jacksonville was quickly able to jump out to the Miami 34-yard line through short passes that turned into longer gains. After a Jaguars timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty, wide receiver Austin Trammell picked up 10 yards on an endaround, converting a 2nd-and-4. Running back Kevin Harris lost a yard as he was met in the backfield by safety Elijah Campbell and defensive tackle Zeek Biggers on first down, followed by two incomplete passes targeting Trammell. On 4th-and-11, the Jaguars connected on a 43-yard field goal.
Dolphins 8-3.
The Dolphins defense needs to tighten up. The second- and third-team players are starting to enter the game, but so are the Jaguars’ depth offensive players. A couple of runs and short passes should not immediately turn into bigger gains and points.
Dolphins fourth possession
Miami’s offensive starters headed to the sideline for the fourth drive, with quarterback Zach Wilson entering the game. An eight-yard pass to wide receiver Tahj Washington started the drive, followed by an eight-yard run from Gordon. A short pass to wide receiver Erik Ezukanma picked up six yards, but two incomplete passes, one targeting Tahj Washington and one toward Dee Eskridge, led to 4th-and-4. Miami again elected to go for it, with Wilson connecting with Tahj Washington for the 10-yard gain and a first down. A Gordon run for two yards was followed by a bubble screen to Ezukanma for two yards. Facing 3rd-and-6, Miami let the clock run to the two-minute warning. Gordon then converted the first down with a seven-yard run. After three plays, including an 11-yard loss on 3rd-and-7 when Wilson was sacked, the Dolphins settled for a 51-yard field goal attempt, with punter Jake Bailey trying to make the kick; the ball was low and wide left.
Good pass blocking from Gordon on the fourth-down conversion. Still no word on Sanders’ injury, but if Bailey is attempting field goals, it is clearly something that will keep him from the game – and could mean the team has to sign a kicker this week.
Jaguars fifth possession
The Jaguars started at their 41-yard line after the missed field goal with 58 second remaining. Some quick passes and a defensive holding penalty allowed Jacksonville to advance 18 yards to the Miami 41-yard line, where kicker Cam Little connected on a 59-yard field goal as time expired in the half.
Dolphins 8-6.
That was a great kick by Little, with plenty of distance still in the kick as it went through the uprights.
Third Quarter Recap and Reactions
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami started with the ball in the second half, opening with a run from running back Mike Boone. Wilson continued into the second half, throwing for four yards on the second play of the drive as he found tight end Chris Myarick. After a Tahj Washington reception for six yards, Boone picked up three yards on a run up the middle. Wilson looked toward Eskridge deep over the middle, picking up 21 yards on the catch. A couple of plays later, Wilson was sacked by linebacker Yasir Abdullah, who was untouched as he attacked into the backfield, dropping Miami into a 2nd-and-20. A four-yard run from Boone and an incomplete pass to Boone in the backfield set up a 4th-and-16, with Miami again attempting to convert. Ezukanma went up and made a leaping catch for a 17-yard gain and the first down. Boone scored on a run off right tackle on the next play. Miami did not convert the two-point try.
Dolphins 14-6.
What a great catch from Ezukanma. He always seems to make plays like that during the preseason, but then struggles to find the field during the regular season. He has the height the offense could use, but it just never comes together. He is probably headed to the practice squad this year.
Jaguars sixth possession
The Dolphins defense allowed 18 yards on six plays, but shutdown any offensive rhythm Jacksonville tried to find with linebacker Derrick McLendon coming up with a sack on 3rd-and-7 from the Miami 47-yard line. The Jaguars were forced to punt.
Good defensive stand there. They allowed some yardage to be picked up on the first few plays, but they quickly rebounded to shut it down.
Dolphins sixth possession
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers entered the game on the possession, only to be sacked for a seven-yard loss on the first play. A false start on the next snap backed Miami into a 2nd-and-20, but an 11-yard run from running back Aaron Shampklin and a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Anthony Armstrong moved the Dolphins from their three-yard line out to the 35. Two short runs from Shampklin set up 3rd-and-6, with Ewers throwing to the running back for a four-yard gain. Miami punted. The punt ended the quarter.
Rough first play for Ewers, but he stepped back up and threw a strike to Armstrong for the first down.
Fourth Quarter Recap and Reactions
Jaguars seventh possession
The Jaguars went three-and-out after linebacker Channing Tindall stuffed wide receiver Dorian Singer for a two-yard loss on a first-down rush attempt.
Good defensive stand. Though Tindall ended the drive in the medical tent on the sideline – a rough situation for a player trying to play himself into a roster spot.
Dolphins seventh possession
Ewers found wide receiver Theo Wease, Jr., for six yards following a Boone run for two yards. On 3rd-and-2, Boone picked up eight yards on a reception to give Miami a first down. The next play, however, Ewers was sacked for a seven-yard loss and the Dolphins were unable to get out of the hole. They punted three plays later.
Ewers is getting a lot of experience – not all of it good as Miami has now seen all three quarterbacks sacked twice each. Every snap is an important one for Ewers as he continues to develop.
Jaguars eighth possession
The Jaguars picked up a first down on a 3rd-and-2, with Harris picking up five yards on a reception. Miami linebacker Eugene Asante was injured on the first down conversion, staying down on the field for several minutes before walking off and into the medical tent. The Dolphins defense again forced Jacksonville into a 3rd-and-2, only to see them convert with a seven-yard run from running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. Another third down conversion, this time on 3rd-and-3, moved the Jaguars to the Miami 41-yard line as the clock moved toward 4 minutes remaining in the game. On 1st-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 33, defensive tackle Ben Stille appeared to have a sack, but a holding penalty negated the play and took away the sack as the down was replayed. Three plays later, safety John Saunders, Jr., came away with the interception with a 52-yard return.
The Jaguars moved systematically against the Miami defense on this possession, using shorter passes and runs and just continuing to fall forward. The longest gain of the drive was a nine-yard pass the play before the pick. Most of the drive featured three- and four-yard gains. Saunders was dreaming of scoring on the interception, but got tripped up at the Jaguars’ 33-yard line. Great play, even without the score.
Dolphins eighth possession
The interception took the clock to the two-minute warning, with Miami looking to run the clock and end the game. After a one-yard loss on a run from Shampklin, the Jaguars used their second time out of the half. Ewers threw two straight passers after the timeout, finding Shampklin for 14 yards, then Wease for 11 yards. Ewers threw a short pass to Wease for a two yard gain to end the game.
Surprised the team turned to the pass to kill the clock, but it may have been more about giving Ewers a chance to throw in the preseason than anything else. That and the loss of yardage from Shampklin on the first play could be a factor. Whatever the case, Miami comes away with the 14-6 win.
Immediate Post-Game Reactions
The Dolphins did not come out sharp on offense, which is a concern – especially when considering the Jaguars were not playing their starters. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill adds a different dimension to the offense, but they should have been able to at least find some rhythm early on in the game. They finally did make something happen on the third drive, but they should not be starting that slowly.
Yes, this was a preseason game and the team is not trying to show anything special, but still, some sort of offensive rhythm should be found. Otherwise, why are the starters out there?
The starting defense looked fast – again, it was not against the Jaguars starters, but they still looked fast. It was good to see Robinson, Phillips, and Chubb all on the field and having success. The defense could be scary if the edge rushers are able to create constant chaos.
Gordon looks strong and could be in position to serve as the second-team runner behind Achane, given Wright’s struggles this summer.
I did not notice any cornerbacks in this game, which is a great thing when it comes to the Dolphins’ secondary. If they can continue to not be noticed, they will be solid enough in coverage to allow the front seven to get after the quarterback.
The apparent Sanders injury is concerning. Miami could make a quick signing of a kicker if it is going to be something that lingers.
Miami has two weeks to get themselves ready for the Indianapolis Colts and the start of the regular season.
There are going to be some tough decisions to be made over the next couple of days. The NFL deadline for teams to be down to the 53-man regular season roster is 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.
