In an exciting home opener, the Miami Dolphins will put their three-game season-opening win streak on the line as they face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. This will be the second time in the past five years that the Dolphins kick off their season on home turf.

Despite significant offseason roster turnover, the Dolphins have managed to retain their key players. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who led the NFL in passing yards last season, has been rewarded with a four-year contract extension. Alongside him, wide receiver Tyreek Hill has made history by recording back-to-back seasons with over 1,700 receiving yards. Additionally, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, a standout performer for Miami, has also been given a contract extension. Together, the Dolphins' offensive trio and the rest of the team produced impressive numbers, racking up 6,822 yards and 496 points, ranking first and second in the league, respectively.

Seeking a third consecutive trip to the postseason, the Dolphins will face a Jaguars team that narrowly missed out on back-to-back playoff appearances last year. Despite a promising 8-3 start, the Jaguars stumbled due to a quarterback injury to Trevor Lawrence, ultimately falling short of their postseason aspirations. Lawrence, who led the Jags to the 13th-ranked offense in the league, will be looking to make a strong impact this season alongside newly-acquired wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis, who was signed from the Buffalo Bills.

With defensive improvements in mind, the Jaguars have made changes to their coaching staff. Head Coach Doug Pederson appointed Ryan Nielsen as the new defensive coordinator, hoping to bolster their 22nd-ranked defense from last season. To strengthen the defensive line, Jacksonville signed Arik Armstead from the San Francisco 49ers during the offseason.

Sunday's matchup between the Dolphins and Jaguars will be crucial, acting as a rubber match in their all-time series. The two teams have split their 10 previous meetings, with five wins each. Jacksonville holds an advantage, having emerged victorious in the lone postseason encounter after the 1999 season. The last game between these rivals took place in London in 2021, where the Jaguars clinched a 23-20 victory with a buzzer-beating field goal. However, when the teams last met on Miami's home turf during the 2018 season, it was the Dolphins who emerged triumphant with a 17-7 win.

Football fans can catch the action as the Miami Dolphins kick off their regular season at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, September 8, with kick-off scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The game will also be available for streaming on the Miami Dolphins app and NFL+. For updates and coverage, fans can follow the Dolphins on social media and visit the Game Center page for the latest news and highlights.