Thursday night's game was a microcosm of the Miami Dolphins' recent history in cold weather games. After a chilly start, the visiting Dolphins tried to mount a second-half rally against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving night. But the Packers made enough plays down the stretch to hold off the visiting Dolphins while recording a 30-17 win.
Miami, who has now lost 12 straight games that were played in temperatures of 40 degrees or colder, trailed 27-3 midway through the third quarter before nearly making it a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter. But a sack by Packers linebacker Quay Walker on fourth-and-goal thwarted the Dolphins' hopes of a comeback. The Dolphins showed resolve by scoring a touchdown their ensuing drive, but it was ultimately too little too late.
Both teams received stellar play from their quarterbacks. Jordan Love went 21 of 28 for 274 yards that included a pair of first-half touchdown passes to Jayden Reed as the Packers took a 24-3 halftime lead. Tua Tagovailoa went 37 of 46 for 365 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort.
Here's a closer look at how the Packers ended the Dolphins' three-game winning streak while continuing their cold-weather blues.
Green Bay was much sharper at the start of the game than Miami, which committed a major special teams gaffe on a muffed punt after forcing the Packers to punt on the game's first drive. Green Bay quickly parlayed that turnover into the first of Love's two touchdown passes to Reed.
The Packers would proceed to score on four of their next five possessions despite the Dolphins' best efforts to contain Josh Jacobs on the ground. While Jacobs was held to 43 yards on 19 carries, the Packers still managed to rush for 114 yards on 25 carries while receiving significant contributions on the ground from Reed, former Dolphin Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson.
With the running game working, the Packers were able to run a balanced offense, something that the Dolphins were unable to do. Love spread the ball around, received sterling protection and was able to complete several big passes downfield to Christian Watson. Jacobs also made his impact felt in the passing game, as his 49-yard catch late in the fourth quarter set up Brandon McManus' third field goal of the night. Tucker Kraft also loomed large with a team-high 78 yards on six receptions.
The Dolphins defense struggled for most of the game, but was put in bad spots early as Miami's offense got in its own way for most of the first half. Specifically, the Dolphins committed several costly pre-snap penalties that ultimately led to punts.
As noted above, Miami's lack of a running game also loomed large. The Dolphins ran for a scant 39 yards on 14 carries. Miami's nonexistent running game was on full display during the Packers' critical goal-line stand at the start of the fourth quarter.
Despite all of this, the Dolphins received another memorable game from Tagovailoa, who continues to show that, when healthy, his name belongs in any conversation with today's best quarterbacks. But if there was one thing missing from his performance, it was his lack of deep passes. He had only two completions of over 16 yards, and his most productive receiver was tight end Jonnu Smith, who caught 10 passes for 113 yards.
Tyreek Hill finished the night with 83 yards and a touchdown on six catches, but he wasn't a factor for most of the game. Fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle had his moments that included a balletic 2-point conversion catch and a 16-yard grab on a fourth-down play. But he was otherwise quiet with just 53 yards on four receptions (on four targets). Miami needs more big plays from its star players.
It was early, but the turning point took place right off the bat on the game's first drive. On third down, Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler appeared to force a fumble of Love that was recovered by teammate Calais Campbell. But the officials overturned the initial call of the fumble while stating that Love had successfully attempted a pass.
On the next play, Dolphins returner Malik Washington muffed the punt, giving the Packers possession on Miami's 9-yard-line. The Packers scored three plays later and never relinquished the lead.
Walker's sack to Tagovailoa prevented the Dolphins from possible making it a one-score game with well over nine minutes remaining. It was the biggest play in what was a big game for Walker, who tied for the team lead with 10 tackles.
Jacobs' impressive catch-and-carry moments later that essentially sealed the win also deserves some credit here. In the win, Jacobs became the first Packers running back to eclipse 100 total yards in five consecutive games since Eddie Lacy in 2014, according to NBC Sports.
"They had a game plan to come in and stop the run and make me a vocal point. So we found another way to get me the ball out of the pass, and it worked out (well)." -- Jacobs to NBC Sports about his effectiveness in the passing game
The Packers will head to Detroit for a huge NFC North showdown against the Lions, who improved to 11-1 after defeating the Bears earlier in the day. Miami will return home to face the 3-8 Jets.
The Packers held off the Dolphins' late rally and are now 9-3 on the season. The Dolphins are 5-7 but are still alive in the AFC playoff race. In a losing effort, the Dolphins received a monster game from Tua, who threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns.
The Dolphins rally with a late TD pass from Tua to Tyreek Hill. But it was probably too little too late, as the Dolphins still trail by two possessions with just under three minutes left.
Green Bay parlays Jones' 49-yard catch-and-carry into McManus' third FG of the night. Jacobs actually has more receiving yards (74) than rushing (44) after that play.
Miami needs a miracle now as they're again down by three possessions with 5:02 left.
Green Bay is closing this one out and, once again, Josh Jacobs is playing a role in it. He just turned a short pass into a 49-yard gain as the Packers are in the red zone once again.
Quay Walker's sack of Tua on fourth down ended Miami's 12-play, 75-yard drive. Miami's lack of a running game was on full display there. That may have been the game unless Miami's defense can get a turnover here.
Regardless of the outcome tonight, Tagovailoa continues to prove that he is among the game's best quarterbacks when healthy. He's extremely accurate, can make every throw and is tough as nails. Just took a late shot that should have been flagged for roughing.
The Dolphins' will have a second-and-7 on their own 34 as the fourth quarter begins. Tyreek Hill caught his third pass of the night to kickoff the drive.
Miami's defense stuffs Jacobs on third and short, forcing the Packers into their third punt. The Dolphins will have the ball, down two scores, to start the fourth quarter. Time isn't on their side, but Miami can make this a game if they're able to get a TD on this drive. I'm expecting Achane to continue to be a factor on this drive, along with Waddle.
A 16-yard strike from Tua to Jonnu Smith on a fourth-down play sets up Tua's 14-yard TD pass to De'Von Achane. Dolphins get 2-point conversion a great catch by Waddle, so it's 17-11 with 2:43 left in the third.
The score has been lopsided, but Tua is having a strong game. He's 21 of 27 for 192 yards with a TD and no picks. The issues have been penalties, lack of a running game and GB not allowing anything deep. That being said, the Dolphins really haven't tried anything deep.
Packers finally stall in the red zone after going 3 of 3 in the first half. They still get a FG and are now up by 24 points midway through the third quarter. Love is now 15 of 19 for 177 yards and has not been sacked.
Love hits Christian Watson for a 46-yard gain on Green Bay's first drive of the second half. Early candidate for play of the game.
Miami's first half issues carried over to its first drive of the second half. Dolphins didn't attempt a run on that drive, and a false start penalty turned a third-and-3 into a third-and-8 (which was an incompletion).
A light snow is falling in Green Bay, a picturesque scene for anyone sans Dolphins fans.
Score: 24-3 Packers
First half: Packers 12-8
Third down: Packers 4-6
Dolphins: 1-6
Fourth down: Dolphins 1-2 (GB 0-0)
Total yards: Packers 213-121
Red zone: Packers 3-3, Dolphins 0-1
TOP: Dolphins 16:02
Tua: 14/19, 118 yards, 2 sacks
Love: 11/15, 111 yards, 2 TD
Dolphins: 14 yards on 7 carries
Packers: 106 yards on 16 carries
Jacobs: 33 yards and a TD on 11 carries
Kraft: 4 catches, 52 yards
Hill: 1 catch on 3 targets, 2 yards
Love and Reed connect for a second TD tonight with 1:36 left until halftime. Love's 21-yard completion to Watson and an 18-yard run by former Dolphin Chris Brooks set up the score.
GB's young pass rushers impose their will at the end of that drive with consecutive sacks, the later by Kingsley Enagbare.
A part of GB's effectiveness in the pass rush is the fact that Miami's offense has gone one dimensional. Just five yards on six carries so far.
Green Bay crossed midfield, but two short runs and a nice PBU on third down by Dolphins CB Siran Neal forced a punt. Dolphins have a chance to further cut into their deficit before halftime.
Miami has yet to test GB's defense deep, everything so far has been short intermediate passes.
Despite the fourth-down conversion, Miami is still forced to settle for a field goal. A big reason why was Aaron Mosby's tackle of De'Von Achane for a six-yard loss on first down.
Tua completed his first nine attempts before throwing incomplete on third-and-goal. Tyreek Hill 1 catch on 1 target so far for 2 yards.
Miami was going to kick a FG, but a penalty brought Tua and Co. back on the field for a fourth-and-4 attempt. Tua had all day before hitting Jaylen Waddle over the middle for a 16-yard gain.
Tua is 8-8 tonight.
Score: Packers 14-0
First downs: Packers 6-2
Third down: Packers 3-4, Dolphins 0-1
Total yards: Packers 86-30
TOP: Packers 9:58
Red zone: Packers 2-2, Dolphins 0-0
Tua: 4-4, 31 yards
Love: 4-7, 36 yards, TD
Dolphins -1 yards on 3 carries
Packers 50 yards on 11 carries (Jacobs 30 yards on 9 carries, Wilson 20 yards on 2 carries)
Josh Jacobs scores his 8th TD of the season as GB takes a 14-0 lead with under a minute left in the first quarter. The Packers are now 2-2 tonight in the red zone. An 11-yard run by Jacobs, a 15-yard run by Emanuel Wilson and Kraft's 17-yard catch set up the score.
Love throws a dart to Tucker Kraft after looking off the defense. A gain of 17 on third-and-3 as Green Bay now in Dolphins territory with five minutes left in the opening quarter.
CB Kader Kohou was hit hard in the head by Christian Watson as he was going for an interception. He's getting tended to by member of Miami's training staff.
Two false start penalties and a personal foul on Jonnu Smith led to a 3rd-and-29 for the Dolphins, who simply ran the ball on that play before kicking it away.
Dolphins have four penalties tonight, all on offense, three of them false starts.
Love hits Jayden Reed for a short TD pass two plays after the turnover. Green Bay up 7-0 exactly three minutes into the game. Packers 1-1 in the red zone.
Malik Washington fumbles the game's first punt. It's scooped up by Robert Rochell. Green Bay back in business on the Dolphins' 9-yard-line.
A play before that, Miami nearly got a turnover when Zach Sieler hit Love as he was releasing the ball, but it was ruled an incomplete pass.
Dolphins win toss, defer and the Packers will start the game with the ball. Keisean Nixon returns opening kickoff to Green Bay's 46-yard-line.
The Packers are 20th in the NFL on both offense and defense in red zone efficiency. If the Packers lose tonight's game, it'll likely at least in part be due to their inability to play better in this part of the field.
Tyreek Hill played in Kansas City, so he's obviously used to playing in cold weather. The perennial All-Pro is looking for a breakout game tonight as he has not gone over the 100-yard mark in receiving yards since Week 1. Injuries have hampered him all year.
Miami is rocking their throwback jerseys for tonight's game. These are the uniforms the Dolphins wore when they won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972-73. The '72 team went 17-0 and remains pro football's only perfect team.
Speaking of history, tonight is a matchup of two dynastic franchises. Miami played in three straight Super Bowls in the early 70s, becoming the first team to do so. The '60s Packers won five titles that included the first two Super Bowls.
