5 Predictions for Jaguars vs. Dolphins in Week 3
With the chance to get off to a 2-1 start and impress a national audience while on a primetime stage, there is a lot for the Jacksonville Jaguars to play for in Week 3's game against the Miami Dolphins.
The Jaguars (1-1) narrowly lost in Week 2 after upsetting the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener, so a win against the Dolphins (0-2) on Thursday Night Football would give Jacksonville plenty of positive momentum moving forward.
So, how do we see Thursday's game playing out? We give some predictions below.
Gardner Minshew throws three touchdown passes -- again
Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II has gotten off to a fast start this season, tying for the second-most touchdown passes (6) through two games. Dating back to Week 17 last year, Minshew has thrown three touchdown passes in three consecutive games, the first Jaguars quarterback to ever do so. If he does it again tonight, he would be the sixth QB to achieve the feat over the last four seasons, joining Lamar Jackson, Andrew Luck, Drew Brees Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady. I think it happens tonight due to the Dolphins' struggling secondary being even weaker due to Byron Jones missing the game with an injury. The Dolphins have the worst passing defense in the league in net yards gained per pass attempt this season and have been shredded by big plays. There is no real reason to think Minshew doesn't have a big game tonight.
Josh Allen records his first sack of 2020
Jacksonville's inability to get after the quarterback through two weeks has already become well documented, but the question now is what they will do about it. Their best hope is for Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Allen to find his 2019 form and create disruption against a middling offensive line, which features Pro Football Focus' lowest-graded offensive tackle in rookie left tackle Austin Jackson. Allen has zero sacks through two games, while Jacksonville as a whole has just two sacks. Jackson struggled vs. Buffalo's pass rush in Week 2, and the Bills don't have a pass-rusher who is as talented as Allen is. If there is any week where Allen should be set up for success, it should be this week.
Mike Gesicki records over 100 yards receiving
Tennessee tight end Jonnu Smith dominated the Jaguars' defense last week, catching four passes for 84 yards (21 yards per catch) and one touchdown. Whether it was on big chunk plays or tight-window throws in the red zone, Smith was able to win his matchups vs. Jacksonville's defense. That could continue tonight with Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki next up, as the second-year tight end is playing lights out so far in 2020, catching 11 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Gesicki is just the type of tight end the Jaguars have struggled with in the past, leading to a potentially big night on Thursday.
Jaguars' offensive line allows zero sacks
Looking at the Dolphins' defense, there truly are not any front seven defenders that immediately pop off the page as a game-changing pass rusher. They have a few talented and productive players in Shaq Lawson and Kyle Van Noy on the edge and Christian Wilkins inside, but they don't have one of the league's better pass-rushing units. By comparison, the Jaguars have so far gotten strong seasons out of offensive tackles Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor, while Andrew Norwell and A.J. Cann have both been impressive at left and right guard. With the Jaguars' offensive line playing as well as it has in the last two weeks, we are going to be bold and predict the Jaguars hold the Dolphins to zero sacks on Sunday -- or at least zero that is the offensive line's fault.
Brandon Wright misses one kick but makes the rest
Having to go from consistent veteran Josh Lambo to unproven rookie kicker Brandon Wright on a short week is far from ideal for the Jaguars. Head coach Doug Marrone expressed confidence in Wright and his ability on Wednesday, but Wright still has to prove it on the field. As a kicker at Georgia State, Wright made only 59.3% of his kicks, which is a figure that should frighten the Jaguars, no matter how much confidence they have in Wright. We think Wright will have a successful night for the most part, but it would be a surprise to see him nail 100% of his field goal or point after attempts in his NFL debut.
Final score prediction: Jaguars 31, Dolphins 20.
