Jacksonville @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2015 ) Miami 20, Jacksonville 23

The Dolphins benefited from a last-second "Miracle in Miami" to improve their standing in the postseason conversation, only to see that talk quieted the following week with a lopsided setback on the road. The Dolphins bid to keep their flickering postseason aspirations afloat and improve to 7-1 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday when they host the skidding Jacksonville Jaguars, who have lost nine of their last 10.

"It's a small percentage, but you keep fighting because this is a weird league and you never know what's happening," Miami head coach Adam Gase said of his team's playoff hopes following Sunday's 41-17 setback against Minnesota. The Dolphins' running game will feature a new look as future Hall of Famer Frank Gore (foot) was placed on injured reserve, with rookie Kalen Ballage in line for an increased workload after rushing for a career-high 123 yards and a touchdown versus the Vikings. Jacksonville's identity this season was expected to center around its potent ground attack, but Leonard Fournette has missed half the team's contests due to either injury or suspension. Cody Kessler took over for an ineffective Blake Bortles three weeks ago and has provided little in the way of spark, including throwing for just 57 yards in Sunday's 16-13 setback to Washington.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Dolphins -4. O/U: 38.5

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (4-10): Outspoken cornerback Jalen Ramsey became the first Jacksonville player to record back-to-back Pro Bowl selections since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2011, although he is uncertain if he'll be attending the festivities on Jan. 27 in Orlando, Fla. "With a bruise (on the knee), you just have to rest and not do anything for it to get better," the 24-year-old Ramsey said. "It still hurts now, but the trainers have told me after the season to rest for like a week and a half or two weeks and it will be good." Wideout Dede Westbrook, who had a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown versus the Redskins, leads the Jaguars' 25th-ranked passing game in receptions (56), receiving yards (662) and touchdowns (five). Running back T.J. Yeldon leads the team with 414 rushing yards in 14 games -- just 18 more than Fournette -- although his 55 catches are one shy of Westbrook.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (7-7): Ryan Tannehill didn't fare much better than Kessler last week, completing 11 of 24 passes for 108 yards on the heels of throwing for eight touchdowns in his previous three starts. The 30-year-old has won nine straight in Miami, however, with 17 scoring strikes versus just four interceptions in his last six. Wideout Kenny Stills has been stellar in front of the home fans, reeling in six touchdown passes in his last seven games in South Beach. Fellow wideout Danny Amendola has recorded just five of his club-best 52 receptions in the last three weeks for a paltry 53 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Jacksonville WR Donte Moncrief failed to record a catch last week and has been held under 50 yards receiving in his last five outings.

2. Per Gase, Pro Bowl CB Xavien Howard (NFL high-tying seven interceptions) is "trending in the right direction" to return to the lineup after missing the last two games due to a knee injury.

3. Jaguars DE Calais Campbell has collected five of his team-leading eight sacks in his last nine games and faces a club that allowed a franchise high-tying nine last week.

PREDICTION: Dolphins 20, Jaguars 17