Thursday Night Football Action for NFL Week 3
The Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off NFL Week 3 action on Thursday Night Football. They battle at TIAA Bank Field and the matchup looks promising.
TIME: 8:20 p.m. ET. TV: NFL Network; BETTING LINE: Jaguars -3 / TOTAL 49
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick went to bat for his bushy beard on Tuesday. Jacksonville Jaguars counterpart Gardner Minshew II defended his mustache and threw in a little subtle jab at Fitzpatrick’s age.
Suddenly, this Florida showdown is more than just a nationally televised episode of “Minshew Mania.” Fitzpatrick, the elder statesman, started the back-and-forth with his take on Minshew’s facial hair.
“The mustache versus the beard, I think the beard is a cooler look,” Fitzpatrick said, while adding a laugh. “I think guys that grow mustaches a lot of times have patchy sides for their beards, so they just stick with the mustache.”
The comment was naturally relayed to Minshew, and the 24-year-old added his retort.
“I’ll let (my mustache) speak for itself,” Minshew said. “I think I’ve shown I can grow a beard with no patchy sides.
“But, you know, I’m going to have respect for my elders, especially when they’re much, much elder.”
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Jacksonville Jaguars Look to Build on Success
That feisty side of Minshew is part of what has made him a big favorite in Jacksonville. His second NFL season picked up where his shocking first one ended with his stellar play.
Minshew has thrown three touchdowns passes in each of the first two games for the 1-1 Jaguars . He has completed 75.4% of his passes for 512 yards and six touchdowns. He has only been intercepted twice.
His solid play has helped Jacksonville average 28.5 points per game in the young NFL season. The Jaguars have been exceptional in the red zone as well. They have six touchdowns in seven opportunities.
The Jaguars are happier than a two-peckered pup about the play of undrafted free agent running back James Robinson.
Robinson rushed for 4,444 yards and 44 touchdowns for FCS program Illinois State. Teams determined he wasn’t worthy of being drafted on draft day. His strong training camp performance helped prompt Jacksonville to part ways with Leonard Fournette. Robinson’s 164 rushing yards are the most ever through the first two career games by a Jaguars back in the team’s history.
He rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries Sunday in a 33-30 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Dolphins Look to Tame the Jaguars
The Dolphins were a 31-28 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Bills. They covered the +5.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (59) made winners of OVER bettors.
Fitzpatrick is trying to keep from looking over his shoulder too hard. He knows Dolphins fans anticipate the beginning of the Tua Tagovailoa era to happen at the first sign of trouble.
Fitzpatrick has done his part to keep the former Alabama star on the bench. He has passed for 328 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on Sunday in a 31-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Fitzpatrick is focused on breaking down the Jaguars and looking to get Miami (0-2) in the win column.
The Dolphins must find some answers on the defense side of the ball. They rank 30th in total defense and are giving up 440.5 yards per game. The are almost as bad against the run and rank 29th giving up 164 yards per game.
The latter ranking certainly will be tested by the Jaguars. They are ecstatic about the play of undrafted free agent running back James Robinson.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
The Dolphins likely will be trying to corral Robinson without cornerback Byron Jones who has a strained groin. He missed practice on Tuesday after being injured on Sunday.
Four Miami players were limited at practice: safety Clayton Fejedelem (pectoral), cornerback Xavien Howard (knee), defensive end Shaq Lawson (hip) and receiver DeVante Parker (hamstring).
Sitting out practice for the Jaguars on Tuesday were center Brandon Linder (knee) and defensive back Brandon Watson (illness).
The Dart Throw: Jaguars 27, Dolphins 21
Miami Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Odds & Trends
| Jacksonville Jaguars |
|---|
| Jacksonville is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games |
| Jacksonville is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of Jacksonville’s last 6 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of Jacksonville’s last 6 games at home |
| The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Jacksonville’s last 7 games when playing Miami |
| Miami Dolphins |
|---|
| Miami is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games |
| Miami is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami’s last 5 games |
| Miami is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 games on the road |
| Miami is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games on the road |
| The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami’s last 7 games when playing Jacksonville |
Next up:
Miami home to Seattle Sunday, October 4
Jacksonville at Cincinnati Sunday, October 4
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