Jaguars travel to Miami: Three bold predictions for Sunday

The Jacksonville Jaguars travel down I-95 in a clash with in-state rival Miami in south Florida this weekend. Can the Jaguars get the win over the Dolphins?

The game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins provides a dilemma for me the fan.

While the writer wants to see the visitors come home with a victory, I cannot help but travel back to my childhood and relive some of the great memories I had living in Kendall and pretending to be Bob Griese in the backyard with my friends.

Yes, I am that old and yes, I was alive during the famed 17-0 season.

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As the Jaguars look to get the victory this weekend, I also cannot help but remember the 1999 playoff game, a 62-7 win in Jacksonville, that sent Dan Marino into retirement.

Please pass the tissues, I might need a moment.

The Jaguars will have the momentum to gain, but little else from a victory as this team is now playing for draft positioning. The Dolphins run defense has been atrocious, which leads me to believe there will be a big day for Jacksonville moving the football.

I said it was a belief, I did not say it would happen.

This game is too close to call in my opinion. As a friend told me today (Friday), the Jaguars will have one of those games where everything goes well and they win but screw up their chance at landing the top quarterback prospect in the NFL Draft.

That in itself sums up the Jaguars season. Here are three bold predictions for Sunday.

David Williams runs for 100 yards – The Jaguars used David Williams more in the second half of the loss to the Washington Redskins. Whether it was by design or because Leonard Fournette had a foot injury, the former Denver Broncos practice squad player looked good in his brief audition.

Could he see the ball more this week?

There is really no reason to put Fournette out there, but he has been cleared to play this week and figures to get the majority of the carries. I predict he won’t play as much as many think and the team will get a better look at what Williams can do.

The Dolphins have the 31st ranked run defense in the league, something Jacksonville should take advantage of. Williams will use this weekend and next to make his claim for a role in the offense next season.

Defense wins the game – The defense has not scored a touchdown since Week 1. I have been clamoring for this unit to score another touchdown given that the offense cannot move the football and reach the end zone at the same time.

Will it be an interception return? Does a defensive lineman return a fumble? Will one of the linebackers – Telvin Smith – find his way into the end zone?

"“The lack of big plays from the defense remains the biggest difference between the unit this season and last season,” John Oehser wrote on Jaguars.com. “This offense isn’t going to score a bunch of touchdowns on length-of-the-field drives. It needs the short fields created by turnovers.”"

Which player steps up this week and makes the big play?

Blake Bortles replaces Cody Kessler, gets the win – As odd as this sounds, it isn’t as far off as it seems.

Head coach Doug Marrone has said he is still coaching to win games and is preparing this team to win the next two weeks instead of throwing in the towel. Right now, he believes Cody Kessler gives this team the best chance to win although the offense has been atrocious.

I can see a scenario where the team is down two touchdowns and Blake Bortles comes in to rally the team. A rested quarterback with no real pressure to perform may be what the fifth-year signal caller needs to get the job done.

Three Christmas wishes for the Jagaurs. dark. Next

While I would love to see it happen, it also creates more questions about where No. 5 fits in the offseason plans. He will more than likely be released and find another team. But if Bortles wins the game on Sunday in relief, does he start the final game of 2018?

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