The Inexperienced Bay Packers entered Week 16 with their playoff hopes trying slim, needing not solely to win out, but in addition obtain loads of assist from different groups. The Packers obtained loads of Christmas Eve presents, getting the losses across the league that they wanted, however they had been unable to benefit from that help by means of the primary half-hour, trailing 20-13 in Miami towards the host Dolphins.
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa diced up the Inexperienced Bay protection within the first half, throwing for 229 yards and a landing on 9 of 12 passing, averaging 19.1 yards per completion. His scoring strike got here on a crossing route in the course of the Packers protection that vast receiver Jaylen Waddle caught and took upfield for an 84-yard rating. Tagovailoa additionally hit wideout Tyreek Hill for a 52-yard deep strike that put Miami down on the one-yard line. Working again Jeff Wilson scored on the very subsequent play on a run up the center.
The Packers had a number of alternatives to make massive performs and even take the lead within the first half, however they have not been in a position to seize the second for essentially the most half. Returner Keisean Nixon took the kickoff on the Packers’ first possession out of the tip zone for 93 yards right down to the Miami 9. That drive resulted in a area purpose since Aaron Rodgers took a sack on second-and-goal from the 5. They did come by means of for a landing on fourth and purpose from the one on the following drive off a play-action go from Rodgers to 38-year-old tight finish Marcedes Lewis.
Following a Dolphins punt, the Packers wanted only a couple yards to select up a fourth-and-one inside Miami’s 40, however Rodgers took a deep shot to quickly growing rookie receiver Christian Watson, who obtained behind the protection. Nevertheless, Rodgers overthrew him, leading to a turnover on downs. Tagovailoa’s 52-yarder to Hill got here on the following drive, a distinction within the two groups’ deep-ball execution.
Nevertheless, the Packers obtained some further life as Dolphins working again Raheem Mostert fumbled, and Packers defensive deal with Jarran Reed recovered the unfastened ball. That allowed the Packers to begin on the Dolphins’ 49 with 1:55 left within the half. They had been solely in a position to come away with three factors off a 46-yard area purpose from kicker Mason Crosby, however that put them inside seven and in place to tie the sport to begin the third quarter.
Keep tuned to our protection within the second half to see if the Packers can rally for the upset to maintain their playoff desires alive. Or, maybe the Dolphins offense continues to be an excessive amount of for the Packers’ maligned protection to deal with. We’ll have all of the real-time updates and evaluation!
