The Green Bay Packers entered Week 16 with faint playoff hopes and not only needed to win, but also needed a lot of help from other teams. The Packers received plenty of Christmas presents and picked up the league losses they needed, but they couldn’t make the most of that support in the first 30 minutes, trailing 20-13 to the hosts Dolphins in Miami.
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threshed the Green Bay defense in the first half with a throw for 229 yards and a touchdown on 9 of 12 passes, averaging 19.1 yards per completion. His shot on goal came on a crossover route down the middle of the Packers defense that caught wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and went up for an 84-yard score. Tagovailoa also hit wideout Tyreek Hill for a 52-yard punch that put Miami to the one-yard line. Running back Jeff Wilson hit a run down the middle on the very next play.
The Packers had several opportunities to make big plays and even take a first-half lead, but for the most part they failed to capitalize on the moment. Returnee Keisean Nixon took the kickoff on the Packers’ first possession from the end zone for 93 yards to the Miami Nine. That drive ended in a field goal as Aaron Rodgers took a sack for second and goal from the five. They came through for a fourth-place touchdown and a goal from the next drive after a play-action pass by Rodgers to 38-year-old tight end Marcedes Lewis.
After a Dolphins punt, the Packers took just a few yards to grab a fourth and one in Miami’s 40, but Rodgers shot deep at fast-developing rookie receiver Christian Watson, who got behind the defense. However, Rodgers brought him down, resulting in a turnover at Downs. Tagovailoa’s 52-yarder for Hill came on the ensuing drive, a contrast in the two teams’ deep ball execution.
The Packers received some extra life, however, when Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert fumbled and Packers defensive tackle Jarran Reed recaptured the loose ball. That allowed the Packers to start 1:55 at the half on the Dolphins ’49. They were only able to take three points from a 46-yard field goal from kicker Mason Crosby, but that put them within seven and in position to tie the game early in the third quarter.
Follow our second-half coverage to see if the Packers can rally for the excitement to keep their playoff dreams alive. Or maybe the Dolphins’ offense continues to be too much for the Packers’ maligned defense. We have all real-time updates and analysis!