Officially Out: Dolphins Eliminated From Playoff Race After Listless Loss To Jags
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami/AP) — For just the second time this season, the Miami Dolphins lost at home.
And just like the first time, it was to a team with a sub .500 record.
That will be one of the many thoughts haunting Miami as the beleaguered franchise will once again sit out the postseason.
Blake Bortles came off the bench late in the third quarter with the score tied and provided a spark Sunday, helping the Jacksonville Jaguars eliminate the Dolphins from the AFC playoff race by winning 17-7.
Bortles took the Jaguars 51 yards for a short field goal and 10-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. On the next series, Telvin Smith Sr. intercepted Ryan Tannehill and scored on a 33-yard return.
The Dolphins (7-8) will sit out the playoffs for the 15th time in the past 17 years, and they'll finish at .500 or worse for the ninth time in the past 10 seasons. The Jaguars (5-10) won for only the second time in the past 11 games.
Kessler bruised his throwing shoulder when hit as he threw a pass and left the game late in the first half. He returned to start the third quarter, but after being sacked for a fifth time was replaced again late in the period by Bortles.
Bortles finished 5 of 6 for 39 yards. The third overall pick in the 2014 draft, he lost the starting job to Kessler in Week 13.
Tannehill had a first down at his 32 when he pumped and threw off his back foot. Smith stepped in front of the intended receiver and scored untouched.
Tannehill went 15 of 22 for 146 yards with one touchdown. The crowd was small but mustered noisy boos for the home team's offense and play-calling, and a final round of jeers as the game ended.
There was no miracle reminiscent of the Dolphins' previous home game, when they beat New England with a double lateral on the final play. An attempted double pass in the closing minutes went haywire and resulted in a holding penalty.
The two offenses surprisingly traded touchdowns on their opening drives, which covered 78 and 75 yards, but then resumed their season-long sputtering ways.
INEPTITUDE
Miami and Jacksonville took turns showing why their records aren't better. Kessler lost a fumble cocking his arm to throw, but the Dolphins failed to capitalize on the gift, missing a field goal.
The Dolphins allowed a long punt return to give the Jaguars a chance at a 56-yard field goal on the final play of the first half, but Kai Forbath's kick fell short of the 20-yard line.
Calais Campbell forced and recovered a fumble to give the Jaguars a scoring chance at the Miami 17, but three plays later they were at their own 47 and punted.
INJURY REPORT
Jaguars: T Josh Wells left the game in the second quarter with a concussion.
Dolphins: Reserve DT Ziggy Hood hurt his hamstring.
UP NEXT
The Dolphins close the season Sunday when they try for a series sweep at Buffalo. Miami beat the Bills in Week 13.
The Jaguars conclude their season Sunday at the Texans, who won when the teams met in Week 7.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)