Packers Power Past Dolphins: Key Takeaways from the Victory
Families across America were busy cooking their turkeys, and if they happened to turn on the TV, they might have been lucky enough to catch the Green Bay Packers cooking up a storm against the Miami Dolphins. No oven needed, just a nice, chilly 27 degrees at Lambeau Field, where the seafood was served up freeze-cooked. The Dolphins tried their best Elsa impression, claiming the cold never bothered them, but the game told a different story. Weather aside, the Packers completely outplayed the Dolphins, and any viewer could see that without a doubt. Here are four takeaways from the Thursday night showdown.
Young Stars Bring the Pass Rush to Life
Every week, the Preston Smith trade looks better and better. Brian Gutekunst took a gamble when he traded away the veteran linebacker, trusting that the young guys would step up in his absence. That confidence has paid off, with Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, and Brenton Cox Jr. each recording a sack on Tua Tagovailoa in the game. Tagovailoa definitely felt the pressure from the young pass rushers, who seemed to come together in a big way this week. The pass rush will need to keep getting after the quarterback because no matter how good the guy under center is, pressure always disrupts the offense and shakes things up.
The Running Game Is in Great Shape
Josh Jacobs has been such a key part of this offense week in and week out, and the Dolphins knew exactly who to focus on. They came in with one goal: stop the star running back. When it became clear that Miami was stacking the box to shut down the run game, Jacobs made his presence felt in the passing game instead, hauling in four catches for 74 yards, including a 49-yard catch. While Jacobs leads the running back room, Green Bay has solid depth behind him. With MarShawn Lloyd on IR, Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson have proven valuable as backups, each offering something different. Brooks carried the ball three times for 28 yards, while Wilson had two attempts for 20 yards. With Matt LaFleur’s playcalling, this running game is as strong as it’s been in a long time.
Jordan Love Had a Game Deserving of a Turkey Leg
After the game Jordan Love had, he definitely earned himself a big chunk of protein. His Thanksgiving performance last year raised the bar, and this year, he met those expectations head-on. With a season-high 129.2 passer rating, 21 completions on 28 attempts, 274 yards, and two touchdowns, Love was in complete control. Moreover, just as impressive, he went turnover-free for the second week in a row. A passing game can only go as far as its quarterback, and with Love at the helm, the sky’s the limit.
Quay Walker Is Playing Like the Player We Drafted Him For
After last week’s breakout performance, Quay Walker proved it wasn’t just a fluke. Green Bay sent the former first-round pick after Tagovailoa five times, and he pressured him on four of those blitzes. Walker helped disrupt Miami’s offense with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one key fourth-down sack. The running game? Limited to just 2.8 yards per carry. The third-year linebacker still has plenty of room to grow, but the way he's playing right now is an excellent start. "Quay's been playing his best ball," said head coach Matt LaFleur. "I don't think that anybody would dispute that. He's got a better feel for what we're asking him to do."
Green Bay was clearly the better team, staying in control from start to finish. A lot of pieces fell into place, and key players are stepping up at the right time. Now, they'll look to carry that momentum into next week's tough matchup against NFC North leader Detroit. The Packers are a different team than the one that faced the Lions earlier this season, and they're hungry to show they belong in the Super Bowl conversation.
