Dolphins vs. Jaguars Week 6 recap: Everything we know

After a Week 6 win for the Jacksonville Jaguars, fans of the franchise no longer have to worry about them potentially breaking the NFL’s longest losing streak. The team was able to end their 20-game streak with a win in the United Kingdom against the Miami Dolphins thanks to a game-winning field goal of 53 yards by Matthew Wright.

Sunday’s game was one full of highs and lows for the Jags, and it certainly wasn’t the prettiest performance. However, they answered adversity every time it presented itself and got the job done at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

For those needing a recap heading into the bye week, here is what we know about the Jags’ Week 6 win against Miami.

Final score: Jaguars 23, Dolphins 20

Oct 17, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (25) is defended by Miami Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (9) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Game notes

Oct 17, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) calls a play at the line in the second half at Miami Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Lawrence adds another steady performance to his resume: These discussions of Trevor Lawrence stacking consistent performances may be repetitive, but it’s truly something fans shouldn’t take for granted after years of bad quarterback play. That said, it would be hard to find a fan who isn’t satisfied with the strides he’s made from Week 1 to this point.

Sure, there are a lot of things the rookie can improve on, but Lawrence is a big part of why the Jags have been competitive lately and was a key factor in acquiring their first win. He finished Sunday’s game against Miami 25-of-41 (61%) for 319 yards and a touchdown and led the team down the field in key moments as a leader should. What’s even more impressive is that he did it while being pressured 21 times with 103 yards coming when the heat was on him.

James Robinson registers all the carries at RB: After a Week 5 game against Tennessee where many questioned the Jags for their usage of James Robinson, it appears the Jags’ staff did some evaluations of their own and made adjustments. While No. 2 running back Carlos Hyde registered nine offensive snaps, Robinson was handed all the carries at running back and had a solid day by accumulating 73 yards, an average of 4.3, and a touchdown (for a fourth consecutive game).

Unfortunately, Robinson still didn’t get over 17 carries, but for now, it doesn’t matter as the Jags found a way to win. Maybe that could be in the works for the second-year rusher after the bye week as the Seattle Seahawks are one of the worst teams against the run.

Marvin Jones registers a career-high with Jags: Veteran receiver Marvin Jones registered his first 100-yard game with the Jags after also garnering his team-high in catches, too, with eight. Of course, of all his catches, the biggest was a touchdown pass from Lawrence that he caught near the back of the end-zone.

The play was one where Noah Igbinoghene wasn’t in bad position, but Jones, who is experienced as they come at receiver, simply made a great adjustment to a great throw. It was a throw that also displayed the chemistry that Jones and Lawrence have worked hard to establish.

Defense bent, but didn’t break when it counted the most: The Jags have one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL, and it was clear Sunday. The unit gave up over 350 yards through the air and second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had no issues garnering completions against this group.

However, when it counted the most, the Jags did a good job with stopping the Dolphins on the most important plays. They ultimately held Miami to two field-goal scenarios and four punts. Cornerback Nevin Lawson also registered the second interception of the year for the team.

The most important stop came on the Dolphins’ last offensive possession, though. Miami lined up to go for a fourth-and-1 on their own 46 with one minute and 42 seconds remaining, but the Jags got penetration and stopped running back Malcolm Brown short of his mark.

Of course, that was the play that set the Jags up with good enough field positioning to eventually kick the game-winner. So in a nutshell, it was the key stops the Jags defense made throughout the game that kept the game in reach for Lawrence and the offense. And though it’s clear the unit needs several upgrades, their Week 6 efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Standout performers

Oct 17, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is pressured by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

QB Trevor Lawrence: See the previous slide

Marvin Jones Jr.: See the previous slide

DE/OLB Josh Allen: For the second consecutive week, Josh Allen led the defense by acquiring the unit’s highest Pro Football Focus grade (92.9). That’s a figure that also was good for the highest on the whole team Week 6.

Allen ultimately registered seven total tackles a pass deflection, and a quarterback hit Sunday. However, his biggest play may have been beating tight end Durham Smythe to the inside to make the tackle on Brown during the Dolphins’ last offensive possession.

DE/OLB Dawuane Smoot: Dawuane Smoot may not have stood out on the box score with just two tackles and a quarterback hit, but he had a solid all-around performance per PFF. His 88.1 overall grade Sunday was higher than everyone on the team not named Josh Allen, but it requires a deeper look at his figures to understand the performance he had. Against the run, he registered a 79.6 figure and also had a 74.6 tackling grade, and a 76.9 pass-rush grade.

Kicker Matthew Wright: After a game where he missed a field goal and an extra-point attempt against the Tennessee Titans, Wright was perfect on his extra-point and field goal attempts. Of course, it was the two field goals he made within the last three minutes of the game that were impressive as the first was a 54 yarder and the last was a 53 yarder. Both kicks made him the first kicker to make multiple kicks of 50-plus yards in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter.

It was over when...

Oct 17, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Matthew Wright (15) reacts after kicking the game winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday’s game literally wasn’t over until the last play when Wright kicked his 53-yarder through the uprights.

Prior to that point, the game was knotted up at 20 thanks to another field goal he made inside the three-minute mark that was a yard more than the game-winner. On the next possession, the Dolphins turned the ball over on downs at their own 46.

Thanks to a “slider” call with five seconds remaining, Laviska Shenault Jr. then put the Jags within field goal range. Wright then came in and seized the opportunity and he will now be the Jags’ starting kicker heading forward.

Injuries

Dec 6, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive guard Ben Bartch (78) looks on prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Jags’ public relations handle reported two injuries in Sunday’s game. One was a concussion that starting guard Ben Bartch suffered in the first half. In the second half, it was announced that he wouldn’t be able to return and the Jags inserted Will Richardson into Bartch’s spot.

Before the first whistle, rookie defensive tackle Jay Tufele broke a bone in his hand during warmups. He wasn’t able to play as a result, and the team is awaiting further evaluations on whether he can wear a cast and play with it or not.

What's Next?

Jan 5, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Jags will have this Sunday off as it marks their bye week. However, after that, they will be on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, who will be without Russell Wilson (finger injury). Based on that fact and how they’ve played without the eight-time All-Pro, it feels like Week 8’s game is winnable, especially after resting up for the week.

The game will kickoff at 4:05 PM eastern time on CBS and will mark the first time college legends Urban Meyer and Pete Carroll have faced each other as head coaches.

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