Game Recap: Jason Sanders' Last-Minute Field Goal Seals Dolphins' Comeback Victory Against Jaguars

Kicker Jason Sanders sealed a 20-17 victory for the Miami Dolphins over the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 52-yard field goal as time expired in their season opener at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The comeback was sparked by a crucial third-quarter forced fumble by Jevón Holland, who stripped Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. just short of the goal line. Cornerback Kader Kohou recovered the loose ball in the end zone, setting the stage for Miami to score the game's final 13 points.

Following the turnover, the Dolphins started their drive on their own 20-yard line with 2:19 left in the third quarter. On the first play, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who raced past two defenders for an 80-yard touchdown—Hill's longest reception in his career.

With Miami's defense maintaining its shutout in the second half, Sanders tied the game with a 37-yard field goal after a 12-play, 73-yard drive with 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. The defense forced another three-and-out from the Jaguars—Jacksonville's fourth of the game—allowing Miami to start their next possession at their own 35-yard line. The Dolphins moved downfield on seven plays, setting up Sanders for the game-winning kick.

Tagovailoa finished the game completing 23 of 37 passes for 338 yards and one touchdown, adding an 11-yard run. Hill had seven receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Jaylen Waddle recorded five catches for 109 yards, including a notable 63-yard catch-and-run.

In the running game, Jeff Wilson Jr. led the Dolphins with 26 yards on five carries in the fourth quarter, while De'Von Achane contributed with 10 carries for 24 yards and a touchdown. Achane was particularly effective as a pass catcher, recording a career-high seven receptions for 76 yards.

The Jaguars struck first, as Etienne's one-yard rush capped a six-play, 96-yard drive with 4:31 left in the first half. Miami's defense managed to contain Etienne, limiting him to 44 yards on 12 carries, below his average of 59.3 yards per game last season.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence led Jacksonville's second touchdown drive, completing a 30-yard pass to Christian Kirk, followed by a nine-yard throw to Brian Thomas Jr., positioning the Jaguars inside the red zone. On third-and-11 from the Dolphins' 14-yard line, Lawrence found Thomas in the back left corner of the end zone, extending Jacksonville's lead to 14 with 5:31 left in the second quarter.

Miami answered on the subsequent drive, fueled by three key third-down conversions. Key receptions by Waddle and Hill kept the drive alive, allowing Achane to score on a one-yard touchdown run on third-and-goal with 1:04 remaining in the half.

Starting with the ball on their own 23-yard line and 57 seconds on the clock, the Jaguars orchestrated a six-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a 53-yard field goal by rookie kicker Cam Little as time expired, giving Jacksonville a 17-7 lead at halftime.

Miami's defense, under new Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver, held the Jaguars to 267 total yards and limited Lawrence to 12 completions on 21 attempts for 162 yards while sacking him three times. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell sacked Lawrence on the first play of Jacksonville's opening drive, with linebackers Emmanuel Ogbah and Jaelan Phillips adding consecutive sacks in the third quarter.

The Dolphins allowed Jacksonville to convert just two of its ten third-down attempts, holding Christian Kirk to one catch for 30 yards and Evan Engram to one catch for five yards, despite both receiving four targets.

Miami will continue its two-game homestand next with a divisional matchup against the Buffalo Bills (1-0) on Thursday Night Football, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.