Jacksonville Jaguars: Running Game Key vs. Dolphins

By Tyler Spinnenweber | Sep 18, 2015

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A general view of the stadium before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

62-7.

If you are a Jaguars or Dolphins fan, and don’t know the significance of that score, then let me take some time to catch you up on it.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: Should You Start Any Jags WRs This Week?

Over 15 years ago, in the 99/2000 AFC Divisional playoffs, the 14-2 Jacksonville Jaguars squared off against Dan Marino, Jimmy Johnson and the Miami Dolphins. Though the Jags were 14-2, they hadn’t beaten a team with a winning record all season, and many believed the 9-7 Dolphins were poised for an upset. Dan Marino hadn’t won a Super Bowl and this could perhaps, in his 17th season, be the year to win a Super Bowl. After all, John Elway had just won two Super Bowls to end his career.

However, from the start, the Dolphins proved no match for the Jaguars. The score was 24-0 at the end of the first quarter, which included a 90 yard Fred Taylor touchdown run that is still to this day, an NFL record. Taylor, Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell led a high powered offense, which the Dolphins had no answer for. At halftime the score was 41-7 and it would finish 62-7. The Jaguars would advance to the AFC Championship game where they would eventually lose to the Tennessee Titans. Both Dan Marino and Jimmy Johnson would retire following the game.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars

Flash forward 15 years.

Both teams are suffering lingering effects from that game.

The Jaguars, aside from the 2007 season, haven’t come close to achieving that success again. The franchise had accomplished so much success early on that it was hard on the team, and fans, during the 2000’s once they started losing. The team has only made two playoff appearances since that season. The Dolphins on the other hand, are still searching for their answer at quarterback, though that could perhaps be Ryan Tannehill.

The Miami Dolphins will come into EverBank Field on Sunday with a 1-0 record after defeating the Washington Redskins in Week 1. The Jaguars come in at 0-1, and will look to rebound after a disappointing opener against the Carolina Panthers.

With some offseason acquisitions, which include Ndamukong Suh and Kenny Stills, the Miami Dolphins are expected to compete in the AFC East and for a playoff spot. Not many expect the Jaguars to come close to a winning, or even .500 record.

However, there is reason to believe this in-state rivalry can be won by the Jaguars. The running game will be key against the Dolphins, and T.J. Yeldon, Denard Robinson, and even Blake Bortles legs will be the players and things to watch for.

The Jags squared off against the Dolphins back in Week 8 of the 2014 season. A game that was won by the Phins. The score was 27-13, but had it not been for two Blake Bortles interceptions being returned for touchdowns, the score would have been knotted at 13.

Back in that matchup, the Jaguars ran for 176 yards led by Denard Robinson with 108 yards on 18 carries. Blake Bortles also accounted for 48 yards on the ground.

Oct 26, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson (16) at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, in their opener against the Washington Redskins, the Dolphins surrendered 161 yards on the ground, which is disappointing given the amount of money they spent on Suh in the offseason.

If the Jaguars are going to steal this one, they will need to feed their running backs. Even design up some plays that let Bortles run around.

The Jaguars will need to get creative in the run game. James Walker, of ESPN says, “Washington was very smart in the way it attacked Suh. The Redskins ran away from Suh and had a lot of success. They also used a combination of chop blocks, double teams and misdirections to keep Suh guessing.”

The Jaguars running game was surprisingly strong against the Panthers, seeing as how it was absent during preseason. T.J. Yeldon led the Jaguars with 51 yards on only 12 carries and Bortles would account for 26 yards, while Robinson finished with 19.

If the Jaguars are going to have any chance of being 1-1, they will need to give the ball to their running backs. If the Jaguars can sustain a consistent running game, it will alleviate the pressure on Blake Bortles, who threw two picks last week.

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars: Duds vs. Panthers

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars