The Green Bay Packers improved to 9-3 and won their seventh game in eight tries, defeating the Miami Dolphins 30-17 on Thanksgiving Day at Lambeau Field.
The Packers led 14-0 in the first quarter, 24-3 in the second half and 27-3 early in the second half. The Dolphins threatened to go on a warm streak between the third and fourth quarters, but the Packers made a crucial fourth down to ensure there was no return from Miami for the holidays.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers going forward:
Which went well
— Special teams intervened immediately. Keisean Nixon returned the field from 43 yards out to open the game, and Robert Rochell, who recovered a muffed punt inside the 10-yard line, provided the opening score. The special teams performance was outstanding throughout the evening – Brandon McManus completed all six kicks, Daniel Whelan returned three punts inside the 20, and Malik Washington was unimpressive as a returner for Miami.
— The Packers converted their first three trips to the red zone into touchdowns. Jordan Love and Jayden Reed scored touchdowns on two different third downs inside the 20, and Josh Jacobs scored another touchdown on a one-yard run. In the second half, negative play and a penalty wasted two chances in the red zone, but a one-handed grab by Reed and a phenomenal shot by Dontayvion Wicks almost did the job.
— Jacobs and Tucker Kraft led the offense, converting 29 touches for 195 yards. The Dolphins struggled with both players throughout the evening. Although Jacobs was constrained on the ground, he threw for 74 yards as a receiver. Kraft continuously attacked all six of his conquests.
— The Packers had five sacks and nine total tackles for loss. While the Dolphins began to rally on the field in the second half, Jeff Hafley’s defense made enough disruptive plays to survive. Quay Walker’s fourth-down sack from the first-yard line was a huge play.
— After starting 0v2, Love gained momentum and was almost automatic. At one point he hit 11 passes in a row. He completed 21 of 28 passes, but had at least three drops and one pass incompletion, which should have resulted in a penalty. Love was fierce – decisive and precise.
— The Packers stuffed the Dolphins running game. Miami had runs of 12 and 13 yards, but finished the game with just 39 rushing yards on 14 carries.
— Jacobs, Reed, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks had explosive runs of at least 10 yards. While Jacobs managed just 43 yards on 19 carries, the Packers still finished the game with 114 rushing yards.
— A week after throwing the deep ball, Christian Watson beat Storm Duck on the far sideline and hit a 46-yard field goal from Love to set up the score. He also fought a pass interference penalty and caught 21 yards on 1st and 15 for a touchdown in the first half. He made a key block on Reed’s second touchdown and probably should have drawn another interference penalty after throwing deep tardy in the fourth quarter.
— Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, whose play was questionable due to an ankle injury, made 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a devastating pass breakup.
— Wicks had a bad drop but bounced back and caught four more passes for 30 yards. More importantly, he blocked effectively all night long. With Romeo Doubs out, Wicks was a plus in a larger role.
What went wrong
— The Packers had four offsides or defensive encroachment penalties (including one for denying a sack) and two false starts on offense.
— Even though the Dolphins only scored 17 points, it could have and probably should have been more. Tua Tagovailoa missed several open shots in the first half, and when he started getting hits on offense in the second half, the Dolphins’ passing game took off. He finished with 37 targets for 365 yards.
— Josh Jacobs ran for 11 yards early but struggled to find space on 19 carries. He had to scramble many of his 43 yards. The Dolphins have clearly made it a priority to limit the number of Packers on the ground.
—Dontayvion Wicks had a drop. Likewise Jayden Reed after the apartment pass. Jordan Love passed Reed for a probable touchdown early in the first quarter, and he was a little tardy throwing a deep ball to Christian Watson in the fourth quarter. The passing game was very good, but still left some yards and great plays.
— Elgton Jenkins received an unnecessary penalty for roughing in the red zone, preventing the Packers from potentially converting the ball on fourth down from beyond the first-yard line.
What does that mean?
The Packers won their second game in five days to set up a huge NFC North showdown with the Detroit Lions next Thursday night at Ford Field. For the second week in a row, the Packers started swift and controlled the game from start to finish in last year’s playoff qualifying game. With a 9-3 record, the Packers are a virtual lock for the postseason. Can they clinch the NFC North title in the final five games? Next week must start with a win over the Lions.
Overview of the most critical events
What’s next?
The most critical match of the season so far. The Packers will travel to Ford Field to play the 11-1 Detroit Lions in prime time next Thursday night. If the Packers can get to 10-3, winning the NFC North becomes a real possibility. If the Packers lose, it will be time for a wild card game – an away game against the division winner to start the playoffs. Expect an electric, playoff-like atmosphere next Thursday night at Ford Field.
