Cold shoulder: Packers help Dolphins continue narrative, 30-17

Call it an excuse, narrative or simply fact: The Packers broke tackles and the Dolphins missed tackles. That was the cold-weather difference in Green Bay’s 30-17 win on Thanksgiving night in 27-degree temperatures at Lambeau Field. Miami (5-7) missed 20 tackles that allowed Green Bay (9-3) to gain 132 more yards, per Next Gen Stats.

“That’s the game right there,” said Miami defensive tackle Calais Campbell. “That’s the game right there, 20 missed tackles. It’s hard to win.”

Throw in Miami’s muffed punt just 1½ minutes into the game combined with a Packers touchdown three plays later and the additional coat of narrative paint was already on the wall at halftime: Packers 24, Dolphins 3. Afterward, Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs said Robert Rochell’s recovery of that bobbled punt was a pivotal reprieve after Green Bay sputtered out of the gate.

“That was big because I felt like we started off a little slow,” said Jacobs, who has five rushing touchdowns over his last three games. “I feel like the first run, I kind of misplaced where I wanted to run. That was the only run I wish I could’ve had back today. That (recovery) was a huge momentum-changer.”

Love not only capitalized on Rochell’s recovery with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed, he also guided the Packers to points on five of six possessions.

“It’s one of those sudden-change situations that you’ve just got to be ready for, and obviously getting the ball in prime field position right there,” said Love, who hasn’t thrown an interception over his last 56 attempts. “I think everybody had that mindset like we’re going to put this one in and make up for not being able to score on the first drive.”

Green Bay figures to need another fast start next week. The Packers get only a week of rest before traveling to Detroit (11-1) for a Thursday night showdown at Ford Field. While the Packers surprised the Lions last Thanksgiving in Detroit, 29-22, the Lions have taken five of the last six meetings. Earlier this year, Detroit beat Green Bay at Lambeau Field in Week 9, 24-14.

Miami has now lost 13 consecutive games with kickoff temperatures 41 degrees and below, including playoffs. They have at least two more cold-weather games in the regular season and, if they can make the playoffs, likely at least another in the postseason. The Dolphins host the Jets on Dec. 8.

For more information on the Packers and Dolphins, visit the Green Bay and Miami team pages at ProFootballPost.com.