Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 Miami Dolphins: Trevor Lawrence helps Jags end 20 game losing streak

It was ugly, but the Jacksonville Jaguars finally found a way to win.

Trevor Lawrence put his team in field goal range and Matthew Wright did the rest. It was a dramatic, last-gasp 23-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins which ended the NFL’s second-longest losing streak.

Jacksonville had lost their last 20 games, but after Wright booted a 53-yard field goal as time expired, they celebrated the first win of Urban Meyer’s reign as if they had won the Super Bowl.

Jacksonville Jaguars ended their 20 game losing streak against Miami Dolphins on Sunday 

‘Well, we needed a win,’ Meyer said. ‘Someone asked me last week if we were desperate for a win, and we are desperate for a win, and we came close a few times.’

Asked if he enjoyed his first NFL victory, he added: ‘I do. The actual game part you do enjoy. Obviously it’s a three-hour root canal.’

Wright had only been activated from the practice squad on Friday and converted two field goals of over 50 yards in the fourth quarter.

‘Yeah, so the first one I actually thought I missed it. I was about ready to walk off the field, and then I saw the O-linemen turn around and they were all happy, so that’s when I realized it went in. But yeah, the second one felt a lot better, made a lot better contact. Just happy they both went in,’ he said.

Miami were in control for much of the first half, but their inability to turn territory into touchdowns cost them dear.

The returning Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdown passes to Jaylen Waddle but Lawrence was able to jolt the Jags into contention with two touchdown drives either side of half-time.

And while the Jags won for the first time in 399 days, Miami’s losing streak is now five games straight. Both teams had multiple chances to put the game to bed, but Jacksonville take the win after a bold call on fourth down and Wright’s heroics.

With DeVante Parker out, Waddle took on the mantle of Tagovailoa’s top target. And in his first game for three weeks, the second-year quarterback showed little ill-effect from fractured ribs.

Offered unusually good protection from one of the NFL’s most porous offensive lines, Tagovailoa finished off a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to former Alabama team-mate Waddle. It knocked 7min 15 seconds off the clock.

Jacksonville marched straight up the field. Lawrence was equally commanding but the drive stalled in the red zone after a poor drop from Dan Arnold. Forced to kick a field goal, Wright obliged from 40 yards, the first the Jags had made all year.

Swapping between Brissett and Tagovailoa at quarterback, the personnel made little difference as Miami marched forward, largely unopposed. Another drop, this time from Miles Gaskin, stalled their next possession in the red zone, but Jason Sanders’ field goal made it 10-3.

Matthew Wright’s (middle) field goal was the decider in a tightly contested match

Three straight punts later and the Dolphins had Jacksonville on the ropes. On fourth and 2, Miami were in touching distance of the touchdown which could have broken Jacksonville. But the Dolphins failed to make the possession count and settled for another Sanders field goal.

Down 13-3 and with half-time in sight, Jacksonville needed to conjure something. It came from Lawrence, who tossed a 28-yard, cross-field beauty to Marvin Jones Jnr. He acrobatically gathered and with 40 seconds left in the half. Jacksonville were alive.

It was much-needed for the game, and when Sanders shanked a 58-yard effort the Jags went into half-time reinvigorated.

After Rudimental’s half-time show, Jacksonville made it back-to-back scoring drives with Robinson bundling over from a yard. Suddenly, they were up 17-13.

And after Miami continued to misfire, punting after a penalty laden drive, all that was needed was composure.

Lawrence took the Jags within Miami territory, but with the chance to extend the lead in sight he was hit by Clemson team-mate Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler recovering the sack fumble.

But Miami’s euphoria didn’t last long. With the following pass, Tagovailoa was intercepted by Nevin Lawson – the first of his 96-game career.

‘That was a bad decision. Should never have went like that,’ Tagovailoa said.

James Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars is taken out as Miami Dolphins stars corner him

Asked about his fitness, he added: ‘Yeah, I’m not 100 per cent but I was 100 per cent ready to be out there. That’s all I can tell you. I would have never put myself in the position to go out and play if I knew I would be in a position where I would hurt myself.’

Briefly, attention turned to the north west corner of the stadium. Last week a giant beer snake was unfurled, but this time security were not having it. Three security staff pounced to remove the plastic glasses but as soon as they did chants of: ‘Feed the snake!’ echoed around.

Punters took it into their own hands as plastic glasses rained down. Perhaps the next time the NFL plays at Tottenham they will not be allowed to drink beer while watching the game…

Another baffling decision from Meyer saw the Jags decline a field goal. After failing to convert on fourth down, Miami marched downfield. This time they took the chance, Tagovailoa hitting Waddle for his second score of the day.

The Jaguars just needed composure after Miami’s misfires and Matthew Wright sealed the win to spark wild celebrations

The Jags levelled after Wright’s second field goal of the day. With 3minutes 40seconds on the clock Miami once again had the game in their hands.

But after going for it on fourth down, they fell short and turned the ball over.

Jacksonville were punished by a false start, then Lawrence was sacked twice. Third down and 20, Lawrence found Laviska Shenault for a 12-yard gain.

Five seconds on the clock, the duo combined on fourth and eight to put the Jags within field goal range. And after Wright converted, it sparked wild celebrations.

‘The plane ride home is gonna be fun,’ said Lawrence after two Florida teams travelled 4,500 miles to play at Tottenham.

For Miami, who are also 1-5, head coach Brian Flores rued afterwards: ‘I’m not doing a good enough job. Not playing consistently enough. Not coaching well enough. Not playing well enough. And not playing consistent enough. Some positive plays. Consistent ball – first half, a little bit in the second half but we’re just not putting it together. That starts with me.’