GARDENS IN MIAMI At Saturday’s preseason finale, the Miami Dolphins’ first-team offense performed as poorly as possible on its first two drives of practice without giving up the ball.
However, Tua Tagovailoa and the offensive starters scored their preseason touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium after a third drive that continued into the early seconds of the second quarter.
Tagovailoa delivered a short toss to slot receiver Malik Washington, who took it 25 yards for the touchdown after making a juke move on a Jaguars backup linebacker.
Though his first two series as the offense’s leader went horribly wrong, Tagovailoa ended the exhibition season on a high note by going 4 of 8 for 49 yards and the score.
On the first two drives, Tagovailoa took a sack. In order to wrap up Tagovailoa, he first tucked the ball away on a third-and-six when Jacksonville’s receivers were covered. Right guard James Daniels attempted to cross to the left side of the line to assist, but tight end Pharaoh Brown was struck to his outside shoulder by defensive end B.J. Green II on the second drive.
Tagovailoa swatted one pass in the backfield in addition to the two hits. Additionally, at least one of his throws to an open receiver went wide.
Following the touchdown, Brown bobbled and Tagovailoa found him in the left flat for a successful 2-point conversion. Jason Sanders, the Dolphins’ kicker, left the exhibition early and was not available to kick.
Before his exhibition season ended, Tagovailoa also had the opportunity to contact starter wide out Jaylen Waddle once, completing an 8-yard pass. He found Washington, who has been a consistent target for him, on fourth down to extend that third series that ended in a score.
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Second-year edge rusher Chop Robinson sacked Jaguars quarterback John Wolford on the opening play of Saturday’s scrimmage. Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb teamed for a sack later in the first quarter.
After giving up a first down, the starting defense stopped the Jacksonville backups.
Jonah Savaiinaea, a rookie left guard, was an ineligible man downfield on Miami’s opening offensive play, negating a fast screen to Washington.
Zach Wilson, the backup quarterback for the Dolphins, found his rhythm in the third quarter and hit wide receiver Erik Ezukanma over the middle on a fourth-and-16 to convert the first down to the Jaguars’ 7-yard line.
Running back Mike Boone easily outran Jacksonville defenders to the pylon for the touchdown on the following play after taking a wide carry to the right. The missed 2-point attempt put Miami ahead 14-6.
Wilson also hit wide receiver Dee Eskridge, who has excelled in camp and the preseason, with a zip pass into a narrow window. During the game, Tahj Washington also made a number of catches alongside Wilson.
Wilson scored 80 yards on 9 of 13 passes.
Ethan Downs of the Jaguars sacked Ewers on his first play because the Dolphins’ left side of the line failed to pick him up. He began igniting the Miami offense in spite of the setback, throwing a pass over the middle into a narrow window to wide receiver Andrew Armstrong for a 21-yard gain.
Derrick McLendon, an edge rusher, had a sack in the second half that delighted Robinson, Phillips, and Chubb on the sidelines.
We’ll be updating this story.
