Photo courtesy of Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins hit what many may refer to as “rock bottom” on Sunday.
Despite rallying to take a fourth-quarter lead, the Dolphins fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on a last-second field goal, 23-20. The victory snapped a 20-game losing streak for the Jaguars.
With the loss, Miami fell to 1-5 and to last place in the AFC East. Up next is a return home to take on the Atlanta Falcons.
Before that happens, here are five “Fin”teresting facts from Sunday’s debacle:
1. The Sunshine Cellar
One week after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, the Dolphins dropped a heartbreaker to the Jaguars. This marks the first time in franchise history that Miami has lost to both Sunshine State counterparts in the same season. The only other season where the Dolphins played both Tampa Bay and Jacksonville was 2009. That season, Miami beat both teams by a combined six points.
2. Gesicki Hits 100
Through six games, the Dolphins have yet to have a 100-yard rusher this season, but on Sunday, tight end Mike Gesicki became the first Miami player to hit the century mark receiving this season. Gesicki finished with nine catches for 115 yards in the loss. With 43 catches for 342 yards for the season, Gesicki leads the Dolphins in both categories.
3. “Loss”-Don for Dolphins
Trips across the pond for the Miami Dolphins have not typically been good ones. With Sunday’s defeat, the Dolphins fell to 1-4 all-time in London. Miami first played there in 2007 when it lost to the New York Giants, 13-10. After beating the Oakland Raiders there in 2014, Miami lost in London to the New York Jets in 2015 and New Orleans Saints in 2017.
4. Season-High for a Season-Low
The Dolphins seemed to have hit a low point with Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville, but they simultaneously hit a season-high in yardage. Miami finished with 431 yards of total offense on Sunday with a season-high 354 of that coming through the air. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 329 yards in the loss. Miami’s 77 yards rushing was its second-best total of the season. Malcolm Brown paced the rushing attack with 24 yards on five carries.
5. Trevor Tops Tua Again
Jacksonville rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence has played in just six NFL games, but he wasn’t unfamiliar with his counterpart, Tua Tagovailoa. At the end of the 2018 college football season, the teams met for the College Football Playoff National Championship as Lawrence led Clemson against Tagovailoa and Alabama. Clemson wound up dominating that contest, 44-16. Although Tagovailoa held the edge is passing yardage, QBR and passer rating on Sunday, Lawrence again emerged as the victorious quarterback.
Mike Ferguson is the managing editor for Fifth Quarter. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike’s work by liking his Facebook page.