The Green Bay Packers used two touchdown passes from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed, over 100 total yards from Josh Jacobs, three field goals from Brandon McManus, five sacks from Tua Tagovailoa and a special teams takeaway to cruise to a victory over the Miami Dolphins on the night Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field.
The Packers have won seven of their last eight games, including three in a row heading into the bye week, and are 9-3 after 11 games.
The game turned around early when Dolphins returnee Malik Washington muffed a punt on Green Bay’s first possession, and Love hit Reed on a 3-yard pass three plays later to start the scoring. The Packers added Jacobs on a one-yard touchdown run delayed in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead, then got a second field goal from Reed and a field goal from McManus to end the first half with a 24-3 advantage.
The Dolphins picked up a ton of passes in the second half and scored two goals, but it wasn’t enough to threaten retaliation. Green Bay led by at least two points from a 14-0 run and maintained a three-point advantage for long periods.
Love completed 21 of 28 passes for 274 yards and two scores. Jacobs scored a rushing touchdown and caught four passes for 74 yards, including a career-long 49-yarder. Christian Watson had a 46-yard catch for the score, and the Packers had four carries with at least 10 yards. Tight End Tucker Kraft added six catches for 78 yards.
Linebacker Quay Walker played a key role in the second half when he sacked Tagovailoa on fourth down from the first-yard line and the Packers had 16 points. Kenny Clark, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr. they also had bags. Isaiah McDuffie, whose game was questionable due to an ankle injury, dealt with the illness and had double-digit losses. Van Ness and Walker each had two tackles for loss.
McManus was outstanding, making all three field goals and scoring three extra points. Keisean Nixon returned the field from a season-long 43-yard field goal to start the game.
After a Christmas victory, the Packers will be able to recuperate this weekend and begin preparing to face the Detroit Lions next Thursday night at Ford Field.
