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Dolphins vs Jaguars final score: Miami awakens in second half to win 27-13

The Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars have concluded their Week 8 showdown, with the Dolphins winning 27-13.

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Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-13 on Sunday, waking up in the second half to beat their in-state rivals after a slow first period.

The Jaguars opened the game marching the ball straight down the field on the Miami defense. Highlighted by a 41-yard run from Denard Robinson on a fake reverse, the Jaguars would quickly move 50 yards on just six plays, before having to line up for a field goal try. Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon was able to burst through the Jaguars' line and block the kick, however, with safety Michael Thomas recovering the kick.

Miami would go three-and-out after the blocked kick, killed by an illegal formation penalty and a sack of quarterback Ryan Tannehill by Ryan Davis. Davis was able to split the gap between left tackle Branden Albert and left guard Daryn Colledge, pulling down Tannehill four yards behind the line of scrimmage. Punter Brandon Fields, who has struggled in recent weeks, was able to connect solidly with the ball and kick it 49 yards.

The next drive for Jacksonville again moved the ball against the Miami offense, taking 11 plays to go 46 yards. Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles would pick up 44 of the yards through the air, getting Jacksonville into position for another field goal attempt. This time, the Jaguars would connect on the field goal, only to have a holding penalty back them up 10 yards and force the Jaguars to punt instead of trying to put the points back on the board.

The punt pinned Miami inside their own 10-yard line, only to have another Daryn Colledge allowed sack on first down push them back to the two yard line. Running back Lamar Miller was able to pick up the seven yards and get back to the original line of scrimmage, but Miami would again have to punt. Fields would kick the ball 50 yards on fourth down to give Jacksonville the ball at the Miami 49-yard line.

Bortles and the Jaguars offense again started to move the ball, picking apart Miami's defense both on the ground and through the air. The first quarter ended with Jacksonville at the Miami 28-yard line, and seeming able to do whatever they want.

The second quarter began with a Louis Delmas 81-yard pick six for a Miami 7-0 lead.

Jacksonville continued their abuse of the Miami defense on the next drive, but would again be held out of the endzone. After a 14 play, 66 yard drive that took over eight minutes off the clock, the Jaguars would have to settle for a field goal, actually getting to keep the three points on this one.

Another quick three-and-out from Miami was followed by a fumble from Bortles as he tried to run down the field. Delmas backed up his pick six with the recovery of the fumble.

Miami would put together their best possession of the game after the recovery. Tannehill would find Lamar Miller and Brian Hartline through the air, as well as Miller and Tannehill gaining ground with their legs, leading to an 11-play, 52-yard drive. Caleb Sturgis connected on a 43-yard field goal to extend Miami's lead to 10-3.

With 58 seconds remaining in the half, Jacksonville came out on 1st down and attempted a pass, only to have Cameron Wake sack Bortles for a three-yard loss. The Jaguars then ran out the clock and took the game to the halftime intermission.

The Dolphins took the opening kickoff of the second half, only to go three-and-out. After a 58-yard punt from Fields, the Jaguars took over possession at their own seven yard line. On the first play from scrimmage for Jacksonville, Bortles threw his second pick-six of the game, this time with cornerback Brent Grimes intercepting the pass and returning it for the score.

Jacksonville would again move the ball down the field after the Miami touchdown, a drive that was highlighted by a 32-yard scramble from Bortles. At the end of the 10-play, 58-yard drive, however, Jacksonville would again settle for a field goal, making it a 17-6 game.

After a 43-second three-and-out from Miami, the Jaguars would pick up a couple of first downs before having to punt the ball away as well.

Miami's defense showed up on the next drive, with Miller starting the drive for Miami with a four-yard run. after a one-yard loss from Miller, and a couple of offsetting penalties on third down, Tannehill looked deep to wide receiver Mike Wallace, connecting on a 50-yard pass down the right sideline. A couple of Miller runs, one for nine-yards and one for 30-yards, were then followed by a 3-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to Rishard Matthews. Miami extended their lead to 24-6.

A three-and-out from Jacksonville was followed by a 10-play, 63-yard drive from Miami, where the team ate nearly 5:30 off the clock and methodically worked against the Jaguars defense. Passes to tight end Dion Sims, running back Daniel Thomas, wide receiver Brandon Gibson, and Wallace all assisted in Tannehill directing what appeared destined to be a scoring drive, only to have Tannehill's pass on 1st-and-goal from the Jacksonville five-yard line get dflected and intercepted.

The Jaguars' would not be able to do anything with the turnover, however, and would punt after one first down conversion.

The Dolphins would take the ball on the next drive, starting with a little over eight minutes remaining in the game, and start marching again. Miller would gain 19 yards on the drive, while Daniel Thomas would add 17 yards of his own. The big play came on a Tannehill pass, when he stepped up to avoid a sack, looked through his progressions, and found an open Dion Sims down the field for a 38-yard gain. The Dolphins would kick a field goal and extend the lead to 27-6.

Jacksonville would add a touchdown on their subsequent drive, with Bortles connecting on a 48-yard pass to Alan Robinson for the score. Defensive back Michael Thomas appeared to think he had safety help on the coverage, and handed Robinson off to no one, allowing him to get wide open and Bortles to make a beautiful connection.

Miami would recover the onside kick and run out the clock.

On the final drive, Tannehill would run for 30-yards on a 3rd-and-11 play to seal the win. The run gave Tannehill his third straight game with a 30+-yard run.

Tannehill ended the game 16-for-29 for 196 yards with a touchdown and an interception, giving him a 73.3 passer rating. Miller had 78 yard rushing on 14 carries, giving him a 5.6 yards per carry average. Wallace had just two receptions for 59 yards, with Sims adding two receptions for 51 yards. Cameron Wake, Reshad Jones, Jonathan Freeny, and Terrence Fede each had a sack, while Brent Grimes and Louis Delmas each recorded an interception, with both returned for touchdowns.

The Dolphins, now 4-3 on the season, face the San Diego Chargers in Miami next week. The Jaguars, who fall to 1-7, travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals.

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