On a frigid night at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers received stellar efforts from their top two tackle breakers and very productive performances from their quarterback and two middle linebackers to lead the team to a 30-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day.
The Packers jumped out to a 14-0 lead, held a 27-3 lead early in the second half and cruised to a comfortable 13-point victory.
Here are the stars, studs and duds from the Packers’ Week 13 victory over the Dolphins:
Stars
TE Tucker Kraft: His 17-yard catch resulted in a third down on the Packers’ second drive. He scored 26 yards on a rushing drive by the Packers to end the first half. In the fourth quarter, after another score, he caught passes of 16 and 10 yards. Kraft caught a total of six passes and often made tackles to gain extra yards. His blocking also helped with Jayden Reed and Chris Brooks’ explosive runs this spring.
RB Josh Jacobs: His 11-yard run helped set up another 1-yard touchdown in the first half, and Jacobs was outstanding as a receiver, catching four passes for a season-high 74 yards. PFF recorded him breaking 15 tackle attempts. His yards in the running game were hard-earned between receptions. His highlight was when he threw a defender into space on a checkdown and then scored 49 yards on a pass that probably went five yards in the air.
Heels
QB Jordan Love: He started 0-for-2, but was exact and confident the rest of the game. Ultimately, he completed 21 of 28 passes and two were dropped. Love didn’t take a sack or play a game worth losing. His average per attempt was 9.8. He hit Christian Watson for 46 yards and almost set up another substantial play with Watson behind schedule in the game, but Love was mostly elated with the quick and timely play. His first touchdown pass to Jayden Reed was a precise strike and beat a good third-down coverage.
LB Quay Walker: He made nine tackles without a miss and made four rushing tackles on six passes, including a decisive fourth-down fumble that resulted in a red zone stop in the fourth quarter. Once again he played quickly and aggressively. Walker had three different stops and played a substantial role in beating De’Von Achne in the running game.
LB Isaiah McDuffie: Despite his butt injury, McDuffie made a team-high six stops, including a tackle for loss on Achane and a third stop on Tyreek Hill. He delivered a devastating strike in coverage, knocking the ball out for an incompletion. He also fought with Hill after a disputed catch underneath. His cross to the ball and impact resulted in a foul on Jonnu Smith, who was sent out of bounds.
K.Brandon McManus: Another tidy and comfortable performance. He connected on all three field goals, including a 46-yarder as time expired in the first half. Conditions weren’t the best for a kicking game, but the veteran had no problems. He also made a nice tackle from the open field, covering the kickoff.
FROM Arron Mosby: He made a tackle for loss when he recognized the jet swing and made a nice tackle in open space. He later made a sturdy tackle that covered the start of the match.
WR Jayden Reed: He caught two touchdown passes, including one on a quick screen that required navigation after the catch. His most impressive play was a 23-yard run during which he forced three missed tackles.
Duds
LG Elgton Jenkins: He dropped a few tackles, and his 15-yard penalty was a red zone killer behind schedule in the game. The Packers struggled to run the football, in part because of Jenkins’ issues that clogged the Dolphins’ interior, especially Zach Sieler.
LB Eric Wilson: He missed two tackles on defense and three on special teams.
