Dolphins starters look serviceable in win over Jaguars in preseason finale

C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald on Aug 23, 2025

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel wanted the starters to play Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in order to “get the last jitterbugs.” Hopefully that was worth it — because quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took his fair share of licks in the process.

The Dolphins beat the Jaguars, 14-6, to bring both teams’ preseasons to a close. Although the available starters got a chance to go through their pregame routines, the first-team offense didn’t look as sharp as it should with the regular season approaching.

The defense, meanwhile, looked better, yet nowhere near good enough considering the Jaguars did not play their starters.While the Jaguars offense had five plays of 10 or more yards in the first quarter, the defense held firm when it counted. Case in point: the Jaguars did not convert a third down in the first quarter — in large part due to the play of edge rushers Chop Robinson, who recorded a sack, while Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb combined for one.

Even with Tagovailoa behind center, the offense seemingly sputtered on their first two drives. The Dolphins couldn’t even make it past their own 27-yard line while the franchise quarterback took two sacks.

It wasn’t until the Dolphins’ third drive that the offense looked comfortable. Coincidentally: that was also the first time that Tagovailoa targeted receiver Jaylen Waddle. Powered primarily by tailback Ollie Gordon II, the Dolphins would later score the first touchdown of the day when Tagovailoa found receiver Malik Washington who made a few moves en route to his 25-yard score.

With kicker Jason Sanders dealing with an unknown injury, Tagovailoa connected with tight end Pharaoh Brown for the two-point conversion to give Miami the early 8-0 lead.

The second quarter saw the Jaguars find a little more offensive success as they made two field goals. While they did score on their opening drive of the quarter, rookie Jason Marshall Jr. helped force the field goals as he locked up Austin Trammell and ripped out the ball before the receiver could make the catch. A field goal as time expired before halftime cut the Dolphins lead to 8-6.

The entry of Zach Wilson didn’t lead to much until his first drive of the third quarter. Big catches from receivers Dee Eskridge for 21 yards and Erik Ezukanma for another 17 helped push the Dolphins deep into Jaguars territory. Tailback Mike Boone then finished it off with a 7-yard run to increase the Dolphins’ lead to 14-6 after Wilson failed to convert the two-point conversion.

After Boone’s touchdown run, both teams would remain scoreless for the rest of the game — even after Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers replaced Wilson late in the third. The Jaguars did have a chance to go tie the game at 14 on their final drive, however, Dolphins safety John Saunders Jr. had other plans when he picked off quarterback Seth Henigan.

With the final preseason game now in the books, the Dolphins will now shift their attention to trimming the roster to 53 players, something that must be done by Tuesday at 4 p.m.