Funviralpark Is this series of games really that bad?
All 32 teams were sorted by over/under total pre-season wins compared to the number of wins each team won heading into Week 15. Five of the NFL’s six teams (according to this decidedly rudimentary metric) have landed in a standalone window for what the league is all about. I’m trying to turn it into a showcase day.
But it’s still a full day in NFL football, and two matchups (the Dolphins-Packers and Cardinals-Buccaneers) are, if not as important as they seemed on paper when the schedule was announced in the spring. Interesting at least. That’s still Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, and the three teams still alive in the playoff hunt.
Of course, people will still watch, and after reports emerged that more people than Ja Morant were tuning in to see Trace McSorley, leagues, TV networks aired the game, and enjoyed bragging. You will surely see heart pounding from people about which sport is the most popular.
So don’t worry about me! I enjoy documenting all three games while eating Chinese food at home. And I’m totally cliché-leaning, so I put Play and Player on my list of Naughty and Nice.
This article will be updated throughout the day.
The Packers celebrated an interception on Miami’s last three possessions, one last possession by Rasul Douglas, 29.
Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports
dolphins packers
What’s wrong
The Packers fell behind by 10 points in the first half, but shut out the Dolphins in the second half and scored the final 16 points of the game to win 26–20. Miami’s return attempt was dashed as Tua his Tagovailoa intercepted on his last three possessions.
The Dolphins outscored the Packers 376-301, but Green Bay won the turnover battle 4-1, taking advantage of short fielding and playing aggressively on four downs (more on that below). ), earning a season-saving win.
What it means for the Packers
Green Bay improved to 7-8 and remains hopeful for at least another week. The team was given a lifeline on Saturday after all competitors in the NFC wildcard spot (Giants, Commanders, Lions and Seahawks) lost. The Packers have now won three in a row and tied for eighth place in the NFC. That’s just 0.5 games behind Washington and 1.5 games behind New York.
A win at home against the Vikings and Lions would give them a playoff chance. It won’t be easy, of course, but it won’t be the first time Rodgers has finished the regular season.
This will make the rest of the season in Green Bay more comfortable. A loss would fuel Jordan’s conversation about getting his love on behalf of Rodgers, but a win would delay the inevitable conversation about whether the future Hall of Famer will return next season. For now, he can continue to pursue his 12th playoff appearance in his 15 years as a starter. The Packers weren’t on the same team as his three consecutive 13-win campaigns that preceded this one, but neither the Vikings nor he 49ers would be thrilled to see them rolling into town over a wild card weekend. I’m guessing deaf.
Meaning for dolphins
Miami’s four-game losing streak lifted the Darlings to an 8-7 record early in the season. The Dolphins have dropped to the AFC’s seventh seed, but others are chasing them for one of the last spots (long list: Patriots, Jets, Steelers, and Jaguars or Titans, whoever loses). are one game away from the team of AFC South). The Patriots, Jets, and Titans all lost on Sunday. And as much as the Dolphins’ once very promising season has been derailed, can you really say you feel better about any of those three teams than Miami right now?
The Dolphins are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and they still have a good chance of doing so. If you’re looking for a reason to feel good, the Dolphins have had consecutive seasons, first his three wins, then his three, then his five, and now his four straight losses. . Maybe they can regroup and turn around again (admittedly, the first streak had a backup quarterback in it). Also, the first three games of his current winning streak were against slouch (49ers, Bills, Chargers). But it’s hard to right the ship after four straight losses (even remembering that the Rams went 0 last November and won the trophy at the end of the year).
The Dolphins could beat the Patriots and Jets 10-7 in the next two weeks to get into the playoffs, but lack the brilliance they had in the first two months of the season when Mike McDaniel was a leading Coach of the Year contender. lost.
nice list
Packers attack on 4th down: Matt LaFleur coached like a team until the last game. The Packers scored 4 and 2 touchdowns on their second drive and went 3-for-5 in the game trying to keep possessions alive. His one of the misses was a fake punt deep in their own territory. But thanks to the spirit, if not the execution.
Packers returner Kasian Nixon: The Dolphins kicked a field goal on the first possession of the game, and Nixon responded with a 93-yard return to the 9-yard line. He left the game with a groin injury, but did his part to keep Green Bay early.
Tyreek Hill blocked the field with Jalen Waddle’s 84-yard touchdown catch-and-run: Rather than “running down the field with a waddle,” blockingitself, still got the job done and got his buddies into the end zone.
Jalan Reed Hand Strength: Reed played really well in the first half stripping Raheem Mostert. great play.
Eternal Mercedes Ruiz!: The 17-year veteran scored a touchdown on his fourth aforementioned goal and scored a 31-yard grab on a wheel route to the left sideline (although Mike Perrieria, if challenged, made an imperfect goal). stated that the pass could have been reversed). ).
It’s not perfect, but it’s a good tweet. (Side note: I love this game, which is why I bought the DreamCast over the PlayStation version that was released at the time. Probably Mitch’s mistake in high school.)
prank list
Tua Consecutive Intercepts: The first game by Jaile Alexander came on the first play of the drive after Miami took over after a takeaway. The second by De’Vondre Campbell came on the ninth play of a sustained drive, with the Dolphins taking over for three at 11:45 and entering the game. Tagovailoa was marching the team down the field until Campbell walked to the right, a passing lane for picks easily visible with a seam pass aimed at Mostert. Rasul Douglas sealed the game with his third decision.
Miami’s Failed Kickoff: It happened on the second kickoff of the Miami game, so it may have been triggered by Nixon’s long comeback. It was an onside kick attempt to knock out from the front line. It didn’t come close to working. Either way, Miscue gave Green Bay the ball at a 46 of their own. The Packers took advantage of a straight short field in the second, leading to a Lewis touchdown to even the game at 10–10. Whatever the intention, the execution left much to be desired.
Rodgers Deep Ball: If the dolphin hadn’t melted, this might have topped the list. Christian Watson trampled a defender early in the second quarter he went 4-1, but Rodgers got through it. He had another deep his ball in the second quarter, but it was in and out of Xavien Howards hands and should probably have been picked off on the Packers side of the field. He then threw an interception to Kader Kohou with the ball thrown into the end zone. (Packers fans probably wanted a push-off call on Kohou, but the broadcast defended a no-call.)
Luckily for the Packers, these plays are largely forgotten rather than living infamous life as season-ending plays.
