The Jacksonville Jaguars were unable to get their ground attack going in their season-opener, rushing for a mere 91 yards against Indianapolis. They elevated their game in Week 2, as James Robinson singlehandedly eclipsed that total with 102 versus Tennessee. The rookie hopes for a repeat performance when the Jaguars host the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at TIAA Bank Field.
Despite the improvement of the running game, Jacksonville (1-1) came away with a 33-30 road loss against the Titans. Miami (0-2) remains in search of its first win of the 2020 NFL season after blowing a lead late in the fourth quarter and dropping a 31-28 home decision versus Buffalo. Jacksonville is a three-point favorite in the latest Dolphins vs. Jaguars odds from William Hill, while the over-under is 49, up sharply after opening at 44. Before locking in any Dolphins vs. Jaguars picks, make sure you see the latest Thursday Night Football predictions from SportsLine's proven projection model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up over $7,300 for $100 players on its top-rated NFL picks since its inception five-plus years ago. It's off to a strong 5-2 roll on top-rated NFL picks this season. The model enters Week 3 on an incredible 101-67 roll on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season.
The model ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch in three of the past four years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 95 percent of CBS Sports office pool players three times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has set its sights on Jaguars vs. Dolphins. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the NFL odds from William Hill and trends for Dolphins vs. Jaguars:
- Jaguars vs. Dolphins spread: Jacksonville -3
- Jaguars vs. Dolphins over-under: 49 points
- Jaguars vs. Dolphins money line: Jacksonville -160, Miami +140
- JAC: Jaguars are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games as the favorite
- MIA: Dolphins are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games following a loss
Why the Jaguars can cover
Ironically, Jacksonville struggled offensively in its season-opening victory but performed much better in its loss last week. The Jaguars ran for 165 yards against the Titans and threw for 315 as they finished with a 480-354 advantage over Tennessee. Quarterback Gardner Minshew was a big reason for the improvement, as he had 339 passing yards in Week 2 after recording just 173 in the opener.
Minshew threw three touchdown passes in each contest, however, making him the first quarterback in franchise history to do so in three straight games dating back to the 2019 season-finale.
Jacksonville's defense also improved last week, allowing 354 total yards after permitting 445 against the Colts. Linebacker Myles Jack, who failed to reach double-digit tackles in a game last year, has recorded 11 in each of the first two contests of 2020.
Why the Dolphins can cover
DeVante Parker's fifth NFL season was his best, as he finished 2019 with 72 catches for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns, all career-highs. The 27-year-old product of Louisville finished the campaign with back-to-back 100-yard performances, giving him four on the season.
Another receiver who should figure prominently in Miami's aerial attack is Isaiah Ford, who had 23 receptions in 2019 after appearing in just one game the previous year. The 24-year-old from Virginia Tech is coming off a game in which he had seven catches for 76 yards after hauling in only two passes in the season-opener. Both wideouts could find themselves open more if Jacksonville pays closer attention to tight end Mike Gesicki, who hauled in eight catches for 130 yards and a TD last week.
How to make Dolphins vs. Jaguars picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total. In fact, it says both Minshew and Fitzpatrick will record close to 300 passing yards. It also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Jaguars vs. Dolphins on Thursday Night Football? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Dolphins vs. Jaguars spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up more than $7,300 on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
