The Green Bay Packers enjoyed a late Thanksgiving night on Thursday, complete with cold weather, a lot of reach and a bit of awkwardness in the later parts of the meal.
By the end of the first half, the Packers had a 24-3 lead over the Miami Dolphins. By the final whistle, it was a 30-17 victory at Lambeau Field. They had little trouble moving the ball on offense, while their defense took advantage of a Miami team that struggled to string together plays in the cold weather, with mistakes including a muffed punt. It was a familiar story for dolphins in cold weather.
The temperature was 27 degrees at the start and it only got cooler from there. The Dolphins’ biggest mistake came on a direct muffed punt that set up the Packers’ first touchdown, and no redemption could be had until after halftime.
The second half provided at least some drama as the Dolphins scored a touchdown and converted a two-point attempt to cut the deficit to 16. They soon found themselves in the red zone again and were at the 1-yard line on second-and-goal.
Next three plays: rush for no gain, incomplete pass, sack.
Jordan Love finished the game 21 of 27 passing for 274 yards and two touchdowns, while Green Bay ran for 114 yards. The Dolphins’ offense wasn’t completely frozen — Tua Tagovailoa finished with 364 yards passing — but they just couldn’t run the ball when it mattered.
The loss is a costly one for the Dolphins, who are now 5-7 well out of the playoff picture. They have a favorable last five games of the season (Jets, Texans, 49ers, Browns, Jets), but will likely need some help even if they win.
Meanwhile, the Packers move to 9-3, which is still only good enough for third place in the NFC North. The 11-1 Detroit Lions also won Thursday to maintain a two-game lead, while the 9-2 Minnesota Vikings face the 6-5 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The Packers are coming off their third straight win, while the Dolphins are coming off another cold-weather loss. This game was over by halftime, got a little interesting in the third quarter, and then turned into a clear win.
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The Packers went for a home run on a deep pass to Christian Watson on 3rd and 11. It was a perfect ball, but some hard contact from the Miami secondary caused an incompletion. The Packers aren’t happy, but that shouldn’t matter.
It’s a Dolphins ball, 1:56 left, down 13. One time limit remains.
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Twelve words from NBC’s Jason Garrett that sum up the big problem: “They’re not a physical team; which are revealed in games like this.” Can this mod fix it? jag
Packers recover the onside kick. They can end it here with a few first downs.
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TOUCHDOWN: The Dolphins make the score a bit more respectable with a TD deflection
Tagovailoa casually finds Tyrek Hill on his second touchdown pass of the game (good). Two-point transmission fails (bad). The Dolphins are down 30-17 with 3:04 left and need more kicks to go right to avoid the 507 (ugly).
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Down by three scores in five minutes, the Dolphins hold Tua Tagovailoa, whose career was in doubt early this season due to concussions, to finish this game. Sure.
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FIELD GOAL: Packers go up 19 to end it effectively
Five minutes left and zero drama. The Packers are up 19 and need to make sure they stay warm the rest of the game.
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With this 49-yard reception, Josh Jacobs has over 100 yards from scrimmage for the fifth straight game. He has 19 touches for 113 total yards.
There is a big swing. Jayden Reed threw a screen pass and the ball returned all the way to the end zone … but replay confirmed it was an incomplete pass. It was a tense few seconds for the Packers.
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Josh Jacobs shakes the tackle, fluffs a defender, then scampers it 49 yards to get the Packers into the red zone. It’s the longest reception of his career.
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That was painful from the dolphins. They got the ball to the Green Bay 1-yard line, then stalled on three straight plays.
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Quay Walker has flipped a switch in the past few weeks. Jeff Hafley seems to have given him more opportunities to fly downhill and rush the passer. Whatever it is, it works – something clicked.
Dolphin 27-11 with 9:39 left, Dolphins go for it and take Tua Tagovailoa’s sack from Quay Walker. The flag for offensive possession is declined and that could be the game.
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None of these dolphin catches are attacked. The guys are just opening.
Tua Tagovailoa gets the Dolphins to the edge of the red zone with a pass to Odell Beckham Jr., but is hit by an unblocked Rashan Gary. There has been some talk of roughing up the passer penalty, but the lack of helmet contact saves the Packers.
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Another offside for the Packers. Believe me there are four tonight.
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