The Miami Dolphins edge the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-26 to win their 9th straight pre-season game

The Miami Dolphins’ match-up against the Jacksonville Jaguars started much like last week’s game against Tampa-rain, rain, and a lot more rain. The game was postponed well over an hour-and-a-half from the starting time which was supposed to begin at 7:30pm. Lightning was more of an impeding factor, nevertheless there was still football; and what a game it was.

The Jaguars scored first, on a safety, after the Dolphins were pinned back on the five yard line and Jacksonville took advantage blocking a failed punt attempt by Brandon Fields.

Miami’s offense then came alive, taking the ball down the field on a few clever wildcat plays which ended in a field goal to give the Dolphins a 3-2 advantage. Jacksonville would then head down the field with two big plays, including a 34 yard pass to wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker and another on some nifty footwork by David Garrard, which eventually led the Jags to a 9-3 lead.

The Miami Dolphins would strike back immediately minutes into the second quarter. Dolphins QB Chad Henne threw a 55 yard strike to Anthony Fasano as he took it down the sidelines to give the Dolphins a one-point lead. Early on, it seemed both teams’ defenses couldn’t stop their respective offenses.

Later in the second quarter, Jaguars quarterback David Garrard was shaken up after being tackled on a failed pass attempt. Back-up Luke McCown, who only accumulated two yards last season, filled-in for Garrard who didn’t return to the game.

Miami’s offensive line did a great job in the second quarter, providing Henne with a lot of time to help set up a clean 9-yard reception by Brandon Marshall. Centers Jake Grove and Joe Berger alternated series through the first half for additional evaluation on who would be the starter.

With 6:40 left in the 1st half, Chad Henne completed yet another touchdown pass to Anthony Fasano to spread Miami’s lead to 17-9. Following the score, Jacksonville gained good field position on a 36 yard kick-off return by RB Deji Karim. Miami’s defense would step up, most notably on a quarterback sack by nose tackle Randy Starks. The Jags would eventually score on a field goal by Josh Scobee to bring the Jags within five.

Dolphins back-up QB, Chad Pennington came into the game, late in the second quarter, and threw a 37-yard pass to Brandon Marshall. Pennington hasn’t had a big play like that since going down last season with a shoulder injury after starting just three games. Pennington would finish the drive with a 10-yard TD pass to Ronnie Brown to stretch the lead to 24-12.

Starting the third quarter for the Dolphins was third year QB Tyler Thigpen. He’s expected to be the third QB behind Chad Henne and Chad Pennington which means Pat White would be the odd man out.

The Jaguars first drive of the third quarter ended with a punt after a three and out by Miami. The only highlight for the Jags during the first five minutes of the third was a 19 yard rush up the middle by Rashad Jennings.

A pass interference penalty on Nolan Carroll gave the Jags good field position which led to a Luke McCown 3-yard TD pass to Brock Bolen.

Dolphins’ receiver Marlon Moore shined in the 3rd quarter similar the way he did in last week’s match-up against Tampa. He caught a 17 and 16 yard pass late in the 3rd quarter.

Miami’s defense stepped up early in the fourth quarter with a pass break up by Kevin Hobbs, whom is competing for a spot at cornerback and an interception by strong safety Jonathan Amaya. The Dolphins would stretch their lead to 27-19 on a field goal by Dan Carpenter.

Miami’s defense would falter nearing the end of the game with a strong drive by Luke McCown which led to a rushing TD by FB Brock Bolen to bring the score to 27 to 26. Dolphins outside linebackers Ikaika Alama-Francis and Charlie Anderson heard shouting from Tony Sparano after a few missed tackles and allowed excessive room for McCown to connect on easy passes.

The Dolphins won their 9th straight preseason game by the final of 27-26. Next week they’ll take on Atlanta at home. The game can be seen live on Friday at 7:00pm on CBS affiliate WFOR.