Gain intel on the enemy as the Jaguars prepare to face the Dolphins in Week 1.
As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare to play the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, we sat down with Kevin Nogle of The Phinsider to learn more about the opposing side.
Question 1: How was Tua Tagovailoa’s offseason contract extension received in Miami?
There was a surprising amount of debate about Tagovailoa’s status with the team and whether they should sign him to an extension now or make him play out his fifth-year option and then potentially franchise tag him, keeping him under contract without the long-term risk. Maybe based on the amount of debate about Tagovailoa and his play since he was selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, maybe the contract extension debate should not have been a surprise.
By the time the deal was finally signed, it felt more like relief than anything else. It was done, there was nothing to debate now, and we could all start looking toward the season.
Tagovailoa is a Pro Bowl quarterback. He led the league in passer rating in 2022 and in passing yards in 2023. He is someone who needed to be re-signed, if only because who else are you going to add? The Dolphins offense is built to Tagovailoa’s skill set. Head coach Mike McDaniel loves Tagovailoa and how he can be the trigger man to the offensive system. Everything is made for the quarterback to succeed, which will then make the offense succeed.
Re-signing Tagovailoa was the right choice – but now Tagovailoa has to prove he is worth the new contract.
Question 2: Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have dealt with various injuries this offseason. Is their status for the season opener in question, or do you expect to see them play like their normal selves?
The Dolphins over the last few years have been very conservative when it comes to a player’s health and return from an injury. They would rather keep him sidelined for additional recovery rather than rush him back and risk re-injury. It feels like that is what happened with Hill and Waddle.
I think both players will be on the field on Sunday. Neither of them were listed on the initial injury report for this week, and I do not expect there to be any limitations on either of them this weekend. They should be ready for the game.
Question 3: Miami’s biggest strength is obviously its skill players being weaponized in Mike McDaniel’s scheme. What’s the team’s biggest weakness?
The offensive line is still a question mark. That seems like a true statement every single year when it comes to the Dolphins. The offensive scheme is designed to get the ball out of Tagovailoa’s hand as quickly as possible, but there are still times the line has to protect for more than 2.5 seconds, and they have not yet proven they are up to that task.
The Dolphins are also expected to run the ball more this year, getting Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane involved in the attack. They are going to need the offensive line to open holes – and again, they have not proven they can do that routinely.
Hopefully they will quickly figure it out.
Question 4: What’s an under-the-radar trend or storyline for the Dolphins entering this season?
The addition of tight end Jonnu Smith. Hill and Waddle headline Miami’s offense, but the addition of Smith could be the next evolution of the system. Smith has a package of plays that will highlight his talent and create another wrinkle for defensive coordinators to figure out. We have yet to see everything they are planning to do with Smith because the team was not going to advertise the package during the preseason. If the Smith package does exist and the team can add in a threat behind Hill and Waddle, the offense may become a nightmare for opposing coaches.
Of course, the Dolphins had a pass-catching tight end in Mike Gesicki two years ago, and they did nothing with him. Maybe the possibility of a Smith package will prove to be more rumors and conjecture than anything we actually see on the field. But, if it is something new for the Miami offense, it could be exactly what pushes them over the top this year.
Question 5: The Dolphins are 3-point favorites this week according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Do you expect the Fins to cover, and do you have a favorite player prop for the game?
I do think the Dolphins cover. I think the Jaguars are a good team, and Miami loses some of their home field advantage with the Florida heat negated by facing another Florida team, but Miami should be coming out ready top prove something, are playing at home in Week 1 with an explosive offense that is hard for anyone to stop, and they will at least be in the shade on the sideline while the Jaguars will be in the sun. Coming away with better than a field goal win in Week 1 at home against any opponent should be the expectation for a team that is expecting to make a deep playoff run.
As for a prop bet, I would take the over on Hill’s receiving yards. It is set at 97.5 yards, and he has already talked about his desire to break the receiving yardage record – surpassing Calvin Johnson’s 1,964 in 2012. If he is going to do that, he has to get off to a fast start, so at least a 100-yard receiving day should be his goal for the day.
Thanks to Kevin for taking the time to answer our questions!
What are your thoughts on Week 1’s matchup, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
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Title: 5 Questions with The Phinsider: What we learned about the Dolphins
Author: Gus Logue
