NFL 2021 Season: Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Betting Analysis

It will be an early-morning matchup stateside on Sunday when the Miami Dolphins take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England. The game is scheduled for 9:30 am ET at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Miami has lost four straight since an opening win over New England, including a 45-17 loss at Tampa Bay in Week 5. The Dolphins are hoping for the possible return of Tua Tagovailoa this weekend to help get their offense going again.

The Jaguars are on a 20-game losing streak, including their first five contests of 2021. Jacksonville is coming off a 37-19 loss at home to Tennessee, its worst losing margin of the season.

Miami is a 3.5-point favorite for this contest, with the Dolphins having a moneyline of -180. The Jaguars are listed at +150, while the over/under is set at 47 points. Let’s have a look at our NFL Betting analysis for the upcoming matchup between Dolphins and Jaguars.

NFL Betting Preview for Dolphins vs Jaguars

Needing A Spark

The Dolphins rank 31st among the 32 NFL teams in scoring, averaging just 15.8 points per game. Part of that is the absence of Tagovailoa, who has missed the last three games with fractured ribs suffered in Week 2.

The starting signal-caller has returned to practice this week with the hope of returning for Sunday’s game, but how effective can he be? Backup Jacoby Brissett injured his hamstring in the loss to Tampa Bay last weekend, so the Dolphins need one of the two players to be back for this one.

Brissett has thrown for 858 yards and four touchdowns this season, while Tagovailoa has 215 yards and one score. A big problem for both has been protection, as the Dolphins have allowed a total of 16 sacks through five games.

That offensive line hasn’t opened many holes for the running game either. Myles Gaskin leads the team with 167 yards, and Miami is averaging just 70.4 yards per game as a team, the worst in the league.

Breaking Through?

Jacksonville had high hopes for this season with new coach Urban Meyer and No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence stepping in at quarterback. But thus far, the team has dealt with scandal with Meyer’s off-field headlines and more losing with Lawrence failing to live up to expectations.

Perhaps going across the pond will help the team focus. Lawrence could use a change, as he’s thrown for 1,146 yards, but he’s connecting on just 59.4 percent of his passes while throwing eight interceptions to six touchdowns. He’s also been sacked eight times.

The Jaguars have been able to run the ball, though, ranking sixth in the NFL with 129.4 rushing yards per game. Running back James Robinson leads the way with 387 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

The team could use better defense, especially in turning the game around. Jacksonville has caused just one turnover all season, compared to its 11 giveaways.

Jags Break Streak

There is potential for Jacksonville, even if it averages just 18.6 points per game. Neither of these teams is particularly good defensively, allowing at least 30 points apiece, so Lawrence may find himself able to get into a rhythm against the Dolphins.

Whichever quarterback plays for Miami will likely feel some pressure as Jacksonville tests their ability to play with their respective injury. That could be the difference, as we like the Jaguars to end their losing streak and win for the first time since Week 1 of the 2020 campaign.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?