Wednesday Warm-up: Jaguars need to find offense to beat Dolphins

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As the calendar turns to Wednesday, it’s time to get over the Jacksonville Jaguars’ previous game and look forward to their next opponent. This Sunday, the Jaguars host a familiar opponent in

Ryan Tannehill

and the Miami Dolphins.

Fresh off a lackluster win against the Washington Redskins, the Dolphins are eager to get into a rhythm on offense and try to put something together before they start a brutal slate of divisional games.

The Jaguars have a similar goal this week, as the lack of consistency on offense cost them a win against a very beatable opponent in the Carolina Panthers.

On that note, let’s discuss the most likely route for a Jacksonville win on Sunday and that’s find some consistency and productivity on offense.

The Jaguars lost to the Dolphins last season 27-13, but that was a much closer matchup than the score indicates. The Jacksonville defense did a terrific job containing Tannehill and the Dolphin’s read-option offense, but the offense didn’t do their part. Blake Bortles had maybe his worst day as a pro, throwing 2 pick-sixes that clinched the game only a few minutes into the third quarter. The Jaguars were in control for the most part, but giving away two free touchdowns is too much to overcome for great teams, let alone a team like the Jaguars.

Heading into week 2, the Jacksonville offense has an even tougher task ahead of them. Pass rush specialists Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon return for the Dolphins and the defensive line is further bolstered by the addition of All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

I have faith in the Jacksonville defense keeping Tannehill in check, but that won’t matter if the offense only manages to put up one or two scores again. The pressure is on Blake Bortles and his slew of young receivers to get their act together and put in a solid performance. Bortles wasn’t actually bad in the first half of Sunday’s season opener, completing 15 of 24 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown heading into halftime. The rails fell off after Bortles’ first interception returned for a touchdown, but he was in line for a solid day. If he can build up the confidence he had in the preseason and play like that in both halves, Bortles should keep this offense moving the chains.

Bortles aside, the receivers need to help out and stop making killer mistakes. Bortles’ first half stats would look even more impressive if not for some drops by Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, both of which likely would have led to points if they made the catch.

We’ll dive into more analysis on who needs to step up this week, but the pressure is squarely on the Jacksonville offense to secure a win against a playoff-caliber team.

Next: Yeldon the answer in week 2

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