Folks, get ready for a Sunshine State showdown that’s gonna light up Hard Rock Stadium like a South Beach sunset! It’s the Jacksonville Jaguars takin’ on the Miami Dolphins, August 23, 2025, kickin’ off at 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL+. The Jags are sittin’ at 0-2 after losses to Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, while the Dolphins are 1-1, fresh off a win over Buffalo and a tie with Chicago. This ain’t about the superstars – Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, and the big names are likely watchin’ from the sidelines – it’s about those roster hopefuls, the bubble guys, fightin’ like it’s fourth-and-goal for a spot on that 53-man roster. Boom! That’s the heart of this preseason finale – raw hustle, big plays, and a few surprises that could echo into Week 1. Let’s break it down like we’re callin’ it from the booth, with that Troy Aikman precision and John Madden passion.
Jaguars’ Side: Jacksonville’s Hunt for a Win
The Jaguars are rollin’ into Miami lookin’ to shake off a rough preseason under Doug Pederson. They dropped a 31-25 heartbreaker to Pittsburgh in Week 1, where the offense showed pop but the defense couldn’t close out drives. Last week’s 17-14 loss to Tampa Bay was tighter – backup QB Mac Jones went 12-for-20 for 138 yards and a TD, but a late fumble cost ‘em. With Lawrence likely restin’, it’s Jones, C.J. Beathard, and maybe rookie Jake Haener slingin’ it, battlin’ for the backup job.
What’s got me fired up is the running back and secondary battles. Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson’s been a bright spot, rushin’ for 42 yards against Tampa, and he’s pushin’ to back up Travis Etienne. At receiver, Tim Jones and Parker Washington are scrappin’ for depth spots, with Washington’s four catches last week makin’ a case. Defensively, the Jags have been solid, allowin’ 48 points across two games, but they need more from their pass rush after just one sack against the Bucs. No major injuries, but Gabe Davis (ankle, questionable) might sit, givin’ more reps to rookies like Joshua Cephus. Special teams could be huge – Cam Little’s been money on kicks, but the return game needs a spark from Devin Duvernay. After an 0-2 start, the Jags are desperate to avoid a winless preseason and build momentum before their Week 1 clash with the Colts.
Dolphins’ Side: Miami’s Depth Showin’ Out
The Dolphins are bringin’ that South Florida flair under Mike McDaniel, lookin’ to keep the good vibes at home. They started with a 24-24 tie against Chicago, where Skylar Thompson threw for 144 yards and a TD but struggled late. Last week’s 17-15 win over Buffalo was gritty – rookie QB Jake Funk went 9-for-14 for 102 yards, and the defense held firm with a late stop. With Tagovailoa and most starters restin’, it’s Thompson, Funk, and maybe Mike White under center, fightin’ for the backup job.
The battles to watch are at running back and linebacker. Rookie RB Braylon Sanders ran for 38 yards against Buffalo, pushin’ for a spot behind Raheem Mostert. At linebacker, Channing Tindall’s been a standout, rackin’ up nine tackles this preseason, and he’s scrappin’ with Anthony Walker Jr. for depth roles. The Dolphins’ defense has been bend-don’t-break, allowin’ 39 points in two games, with Jalen Ramsey’s versatility (three passes defended last week) settin’ the tone. No major injuries, but Tyreek Hill’s minor tweak means more reps for Erik Ezukanma. Special teams is key – Jason Sanders is automatic, but punt returner Braxton Berrios needs a big play after a quiet camp. With the Hard Rock crowd bringin’ energy, the Dolphins are hungry to hit 2-1 before their Week 1 trip to Washington.
Key Matchups and Game-Changing Factors
Boom! This game’s gonna be a war of depth. The Jaguars’ run game against Miami’s front seven is huge – if Johnson breaks loose, Jacksonville could control the clock. On the flip side, the Dolphins’ secondary versus the Jags’ backup QBs – Ramsey and rookie Cam Smith could feast if Jones or Beathard force throws. Special teams could decide it; a big return from Duvernay or Berrios might flip momentum in a game where backups dominate.
Weather in Miami should be hot and humid, typical late-August stuff, with a chance of showers that could make the ball slick late. The Hard Rock crowd will bring noise, even in preseason, which could rattle Jacksonville’s reserves. With cutdown day loomin’ on August 26, every snap’s a job interview – expect high effort but maybe some penalties from overeager rookies. A historical note: the sports card above shows Miami’s beaten Jacksonville in recent preseasons, includin’ a 20-17 win in 2024 where the Dolphins racked up 400 yards of offense. That edge, plus home-field advantage, gives Miami a slight mental boost, but the Jags’ desperation to avoid 0-3 keeps it tight.
Final Prediction
Alright, straight from the gut: The Dolphins’ home energy and defensive depth give ‘em the edge, but Jacksonville’s grit keeps it close. I’m callin’ Miami to pull out a 23-20 win, coverin’ the spread with a late Sanders field goal.
3 Best Bets
- Dolphins Moneyline (-145): Miami’s 1-1 with a home win and a history of edgin’ out the Jags. They’re the safer bet at Hard Rock.
- Under 36.5 Total Points (-110): Both teams lean on backups, and Miami’s defense is stingy. Expect a low-scorin’ grind with conservative play-callin’.
- Dolphins -2.5 (-112): Miami’s depth and home-field juice lead to a field-goal win, coverin’ the spread against Jacksonville’s reserves.
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