After back-to-back losses to Rams and the Patriots; the Packers look to get the train back on the track at home versus the Miami Dolphins. Miami doesn’t have a very good run defense; so one way to do that is by featuring to star running back, Aaron Jones. McCarthy and Rodgers did just that. Aaron Jones had 145 rushing yards on 15 attempts and 2 touchdowns. For this team to keep taking steps forward and getting the offense back in sync, Aaron Jones is going to be crucial. A strong running game will open things up for Rodgers. With a short week coming up, this game against Miami is big to try and get the season turned around. The defense came to play, sacking Brock Osweiler 6 times and intercepting him. The offense wasn’t fully sync-ed up but there were glimpse that this offense can get going.
Here’s the full recap:
1st quarter
The Packers start the game kicking off and putting their defense on the field first. Hopefully giving themselves a chance to double the Dolphins up at the end of the first half and start of the second half. The first defensive play, Clay Matthews brought the pressure and almost getting home, giving hope that things may have improved. The very next play, Frank Gore broke off a big run for 39 yards. The Dolphins kept moving the football into Packer territory to the Packers 14, when the snap sailed over the head of Brock Osweiler and was recovered by Reggie Gilbert. It was the first Packers defensive takeaway in 3 games. Maybe things are turning around. The Packers capitalized on the turnover. Their opening drive was the Aaron and Aaron show. Rodgers and Jones lead the offense down the field and rewarded Davante Adams with the TD. The defense forced the Dolphins to punt but Tramon Williams fumbled and turned the ball over giving Miami great field position. The bend don’t break defense comes up big again with a pass deflection by Jaire Alexander and a sack by Kyle Fackrell forcing the Dolphins to settle for a field goal. The Packers kicked off their drive with a 67 yard drive by Aaron Jones. Packers 7 – Dolphins 3
2nd quarter
Green Bay started the second quarter by finishing capping their second drive of game with a 2 yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones. After that TD run, Jones had 98 rushing yards on 5 carries. In total, Jones has 125 yards from scrimmage in this game and the Packers only had 2 drives so far. The Green Bay D gives up huge chunks of yardage but then buckles down inside the 20 and forces another Miami field goal. McCarthy goes away from the run on the third drive. Rodgers and Adams bails him out early on but then on 3rd and 2 and 4th and 2 near mid-field, McCarthy calls pass plays and they turn the ball over on downs. No Aaron Jones that drive. Miami then drove 20 yards and the Packer defense continued to stall their drives forcing another field goal attempt. A promising drive for a chance at back-to-back scores ended when Rodgers was sacked for an 11 yard loss on 3rd and 2 on the Miami 33 after David Bahktiari was beat. Knocking the Packers out of field goal range and forcing them to punt. Green Bay continues to let teams hang around. Packers 14 – Dolphins 9
3rd quarter
This is the first time this season that the Packers did not score on their opening drive of the third quarter. The drive consisted of Rodgers missing a wide open Valdes-Scantling on second down, an illegal block by St. Brown on third down, down is replayed by a false by Aaron Jones and Rodgers then throws the football away. Green Bay punts the ball but it is blocked by Miami and they recover at the Packers 28 yard line. Big turn over to try and change the momentum by the special teams. Mike Pettine’s defense continues to come up big inside the opposing 35 yard line. The Green Bay defense forced Miami to fourth field goal. To get the offense going, Rodgers started off the drive by hitting Valdes-Scantling for 8 yards, Mercedes Lewis for 30 yards and then turns keys over to Aaron Jones. Jones ran for 12 yards and then capped off the drive with a 10 yard touchdown drive. Aaron Jones has 2 touchdowns, and 129 yards rushing on 11 carries. The Green Bay defense comes up big. On second down, Breeland picks off Osweiler and returns it deep into Miami territory. After a 10 yard penalty on Davante Adams for an Illegal Crackback, then a pass to Aaron Jones for no gain, Rodgers for Adams for 25 yard touchdown. Green Bay has opened this game up a little bit. The Green Bay defense forced Miami to punt again but instead Green Bay was duped by a fake punt that kept Miami’s drive continuing. Packers 28 – Dolphins 12
4th quarter
The Dolphins kicked off the fourth quarter by punting the to Green Bay. Rodgers and McCarthy then went 60 yards in 11 plays in just under 6 minutes for a field goal. The drive included a 10 yard run by Aaron Jones, and a 14 yard reception by Jimmy Graham. The drive seemed to stall as the Packers were in punt formation at the Miami 49 yard line for a fourth and 3. McCarthy finally got a little bit creative and called a fake punt. A direct snap to Greene who ran for 26 yards. The drive ended up stalling out at Miami 20 yard line, as they settled for a Mason Crosby field goal. Miami then had the ball for just under 6 minutes but the Green Bay defense continued its good performance by forcing a turnover on downs. The Packer defense sacked Osweiler on third and fourth down to end the drive. It was the defenses 6th sack of the game. Packers 31 – Dolphins 12
Next Up: Green Bay has a short week as they travel to Seattle for Thursday night match-up.
Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag
