Kickoff Sunday, Dec 25th 1:00pm Eastern

Packers (
23) at

Dolphins (
26.5)

Over/Under 49.5

Tweet
Notes

Game Overview ::

By Mike Johnson >>
  • The Packers still have an outside chance at a playoff spot if they can win their three remaining games.
  • The Dolphins are in great position to make the playoffs but have lost three consecutive games against current playoff teams.
  • The Packers run defense has been near the bottom of the league this year and has historically struggled with “Shanahan-style” running schemes.
  • The Dolphins run defense has been very good this year, which could force Aaron Rodgers to do more.

How green bay Will Try To Win ::

The Packers have rejuvenated playoff hopes after a couple of HUGE wins over the Bears and Rams. I hope you can catch my sarcasm there, as it has been kind of funny to listen to Aaron Rodgers talk so highly about things based on a couple of wins over bottom of the NFL teams. This week is where the rubber meets the road, as the Packers travel to face a very good Dolphins team who has been on a slide recently and needs a win to put themselves in good position to make the playoffs. 

The Green Bay offense now relies mostly on their dual-headed backfield of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to be the engine of the offense. Aaron Rodgers is more of a “game manager with benefits” at this point in his career, who excels at taking advantage of teams who load up too much on taking away the Packers running game. This week we should expect a similar run-heavy approach as Green Bay will likely try to control tempo in this game and slowly build a lead. Jones and Dillon combined for 36 touches on Monday night against the Rams, and somewhere in the 35-40 touch range has to be the target for Green Bay once again this week. The Packers will likely take some passing shots as well, and rookie Christian Watson will be given chances to make plays as he has done during a recent hot stretch. The Dolphins do have a top-10 run defense and bottom-10 pass defense, but the Packers identity being based in their backfield will keep them from being funneled away from what they do best for as long as the game is close. The Dolphins pass defense deficiencies do increase the chances that the Packers can bust a couple of big plays and score enough to keep this game close into the second half, while also leaving open the possibility of a Packers comeback if the Dolphins build a lead.

How miami Will Try To Win ::

<< Add Access >>

OWS FREE

(No CC Required)