Jacksonville Jaguars
Face of the Franchise
Jaguars Dominant Early; Fall to Dolphins in Preseason Finale
Source: https://www.bigcatcountry.com/game-...nt-early-fall-to-dolphins-in-preseason-finale
The Jacksonville Jaguars wrapped up their 2025 preseason in Miami with a preseason Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins, 14-6. However, the performance of the backup and early third-string defense against the Dolphins starting offense gave reason for applause. Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s Preseason Week 3 finale versus Miami.
Live blog:
Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from tonight’s game in our live blog!
Game Recap:
While Miami opted to play the majority of their starters, the following (14) Dolphins did not participate in the matchup:
- RT Austin Jackson
- OL Andrew Meyer
- OL Bayron Matos
- RB De’Von Achane
- RB Jaylen Wright
- TE Darren Waller
- TE Julian Hill
- WR Tyreek Hill
- DT Kenneth Grant
- LB Jordyn Brooks
- CB Ethan Bonner
- CB Kendall Sheffield
- S Ashtyn Davis
- S Dante Trader Jr.
The following (37) Jacksonville players did not play in this one:
- QB Trevor Lawrence
- OL Walker Little
- OL Robert Hainsey
- OL Ezra Cleveland
- OL Anton Harrison
- OL Cole Van Lanen
- OL Patrick Mekari
- OL Chuma Edoga
- OL Wyatt Milum
- RB Travis Etienne Jr.
- RB Tank Bigsby
- RB Bhayshul Tuten
- TE Hunter Long
- TE Brenton Strange
- TE Johnny Mundt
- WR Dyami Brown
- WR Brian Thomas Jr.
- WR Eli Pancol
- WR Parker Washington
- WR/DB Travis Hunter
- DT Davon Hamilton
- DT Arik Armstead
- DT Khalen Saunders
- DL Emmanuel Ogbah
- DL Austin Johnson
- DE Josh Hines-Allen
- DE Travon Walker
- DE Dawuane Smoot
- LB Foyesade Oluokun
- LB Jalen McCleod
- CB Jourdan Lewis
- CB Tyson Campbell
- CB Jarrian Jones
- CB Montaric Brown
- DB Caleb Ransaw
- S Eric Murray
- S Daniel Thomas
1st Quarter
The matchup kicked off with a first down John Wolford sack as the unblocked Dolphins defender buried the backup quarterback. However, after a JaQuinden Jackson 11-yard screen and Wolford scramble, Jacksonville converted via a fourth down QB-sneak after facing a second-and-19 series. However, the Jaguars third offense was unable to convert on the next set of downs against the Dolphins starting defense with an Austin Trammell, John Wolford miscommunication on third down resulting in a dropped third-down pass.
After the punt, the Jacksonville second defense secured a quick three-and out, however, forcing the Miami starting offense to a punt after a first down ineligible man downfield penalty created a first-and15 for Miami. Chad Muma and Jabbar Muhammad pressured Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on first down with Muhammad batting down the ball. Danny Striggow then closed out the series with a third down sack, his second game with a sack this preseason (one sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers).
The John Wolford-led offense again showed signs of life, with the team progressing to midfield, before a third-and-one errant snap over Wolford’s head forced a punt after a loss of 23-yards.
This didn’t discourage the Jacksonville second (and some third string) defensive players as they again forced back-to-back three-and-out against the Miami starting offense. A BJ Green second-down Tagovailoa sack placed Miami behind the sticks, with Jabbar Muhammad picking up a second pressure in two drives to force a third down incompletion.
Miami Dolphins offense in their first two drives:
6 plays
Jaguars are not playing their starters. #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/z5skFKnKH5
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) August 23, 2025
Jacksonville unfortunately traded three and outs with Wolford unable to put together a drive this go round, after an early 10-yard catch and run by Austin Trammell.
As a note, the Dolphins’ starting offenses’ first down of the matchup came on the final play of the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
Unfortunately, after tasting success for the first time, the Dolphins offense never took their foot off the gas, scoring on the drive after two missed tackles on the 25-yard Dolphins’ catch and run. LB Chad Muma had an opportunity to make the tackle for a short gain, but after overrunning Dolphins’ WR Malik Washington, then missing a second chance at a tackle, Washington simply strolled into the endzone. The Dolphin’s converted the conversion to go up 8. (Jaguars 0, Dolphins 8)
Jacksonville found a spark on the following drive, putting together a 10-play, 37-yard, 5:54 Seth Henigan drive, capped off by a Cam Little 43-yard field goal. (Jaguars 3, Dolphins 8)
Miami’s offensive backups entered the game after the Dolphins’ scoring drive and Miami subsequently moved into field goal range. However, Dolphins’ kicker Jake Bailey missed the 51-yard attempt wide left. Seth Henigan then drove Jacksonville 18-yards in 58-seconds for Cam Little to drill the 59-yard field goal as time expired in the half. (Jaguars 6, Dolphins 8)
3rd Quarter
Miami opened the half with a 12-play, 65-yard, 6:35 touchdown drive, led by QB Zach Wilson. Wilson connected with Dolphins WR Dee Eskridge for a 21-yard catch on Keni-H Lovely early in the drive, with Lovely also surrendering a third and 16 17-yard catch to WR Erik Ezukanma.
Erik Ezukanma was fired up after this acrobatic catch
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/g7PcMFtwst
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025
Despite a Yasir Abdullah 10-yard sack, Jacksonville was unable to hold the Dolphins out of the endzone, with Wilson connecting with RB Mike Boone on the checkdown touchdown. (Jaguars 6, Dolphins 14)
Both teams then traded punts on consecutive drives to wrap up the quarter.
4th Quarter
The fourth quarter punt-fest continued with both teams again trading punts as the defenses for both squads made things difficult for the backup quarterbacks.
Seth Henigan led the Jaguars on a 14-play, 53-yard drive into the Miami redzone before making the cursed redzone turnover with 1:52 remaining in the game, a badly thrown interception. The throw was either yards behind the intended target (WR Chandler Brayboy) or overthrown to the underneath route, Dorian Singer. Miami wrapped up the game driving into the redzone as the time expired.
Best highlight:
Cam will be Cam. Hitting a 59-yard field goal is no little thing, but it feels like a chip shot with Little.
It wasn't from 70 yards out this time, but Cam Little made this 59-yard field goal with EASE
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xFCLgxdY1k
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025
Biggest play(s) of the game:
With an opportunity to tie the game Seth Henigan’s pass was intercepted to effectively end matchup.
Key stats (traditional):
- QB John Wolford: 3/5 for 25-yards (5.0 per), 2 sacks surrendered, 4 carries for 25-yards (6.3 YPC)
- RB JaQuinden Jackson: 8 carries for 47-yards (5.9 YPC), 1 catch on 1 target for 10-yards
- WR Austin Trammell: 3 catches for 21-yards (7.0 YPR)
- TE Quintin Morris: 3 catches for 18-yards (6.0 YPR)
- LB Jack Kiser: 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 QB sack
- LB Yasir Abdullah: 2 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits
- DL Ethan Downs: 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 QB sack
- S Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig: 7 tackles (5 solo)
- K Cam Little: 2/2 with a long from 59-yards
Notably, six Jaguars secured sacks in this game: Jack Kiser, BJ Green, Yasir Abdullah, Danny Striggow, Ethan Downs, and Keivie Rose.
View the full box score here
Game balls:
- Special Teams: Logan Cooke – 5 punts, with an average of 49.6-yards, a long of 59, and two downed inside of the 20 (6 and the 14-yard line).
- Defense: LB Jack Kiser: 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 QB sack
- Offense: RB JaQuinden Jackson: 8 carries for 47-yards (5.9 YPC), 1 catch on 1 target for 10-yards
Notable absences:
The following players left Sunday’s game due to injury:
- N/A
Post-game lingering questions:
1. Did Saturday clear up the WR and CB depth questions?
Who makes the cut at the sixth cornerback spot and wide receiver five? Has Austin Trammell or Trenton Irwin taken the edge?
2. What to do with BJ Green?
DT BJ Green entered todays’ matchup leading the NFL for week two rookie defenders with five pressures. The question remains, has Green done enough to make the Jacksonville roster with both Maason Smith and Arik Armstead healthy?
3. What to make of the up and down day for Chad Muma?
The fourth-year linebacker overran the receiver on Miami’s initial touchdown then missed him a second time on the play – his first noticeable mistake of the day.
Malik Washington broke his ankles and took it into the end zone
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/I8Il0gdITT
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
However, Muma later had a nice pass breakup in coverage but secured no first half tackles and missed a later tackle with a chance to get the ball back for the offense. This performance may not have been enough to secure a roster spot in competition with Branson Combs.
What are your thoughts from the Jaguars preseason finale or the entirety of this preseason? Who made the roster with their play tonight, Duval? Let us know in the comments.
Source: https://www.bigcatcountry.com/game-...nt-early-fall-to-dolphins-in-preseason-finale