Breaking down Green Bay’s Week 16 win
Officially, the Green Bay Packers are The Undertaker.
It works no matter what Undertaker meme you’re thinking of: Either the Packers have risen from their playoff coffin, or they’re the boogeyman lingering in the shadowy background of the NFC playoff picture.
Sunday’s come-from-behind win over the Miami Dolphins legitimized the Packers’ push back into postseason contention, and you can bet a few teams in the NFC won’t be too excited if Aaron Rodgers and the Packers find a way to sneak into the playoffs as the No. Five straight wins have secured 7
On Sunday, Miami made the biggest step yet. Four takeaways were forced by the Packers to overcome a deficit of 20-10. The Dolphins had zero second-half points and have lost four consecutive games. Matt LaFleur’s team, meanwhile, is suddenly riding a three-game win streak.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong, what it means and what’s next coming out of the Packers’ 26-20 win over the Dolphins.
What went right
– Four takeaways saved the defense. The Dolphins averaged 8.4 yards a play. However, the Packers scored a game-changing fumble from Jarran Reed just before halftime. They also got three picks in halftime.
– The Dolphins threw a couple of big punches early, but the Packers never backed down and eventually threw a few uppercuts of their own. Although this team is disappointing, they are resilient and full of fight.
– The Packers managed to score 26 points on a day in which A.J. Aaron Jones and Dillon combined only for 61 rushing yards.
– Keisean Nixon ripped off a 93-yard kickoff return. He’s been the best returner in football the last two months.
– The Packers converted three different fourth downs. All three of them were on eventual scoring drives.
– Dillon scored his fifth touchdown in the last four games.
– Mason Crosby, making his 256 consecutive appearance, made all four field goals and both extra points. His right leg created 14 of the Packers’ 26 points.
– Allen Lazard, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Marcedes Lewis all had a catch over 20 yards. Patrick Taylor converted a third down conversion with a 17 yard catch.
– Aaron Rodgers completed passes to 10 different receivers.
– The Packers only punted once.
What went wrong?
– The Packers gave up an 84-yard touchdown to Jaylen Waddle and a 52-yard catch to Tyreek Hill that led to a 1-yard touchdown.
– The Packers converted touchdowns on just 2-of-5 red zone trips and were 2-for-14 on third down.
– A failed fake punt handed the Dolphins three easy points.
– Tua Tagovailoa averaged 12.4 yards per completion and Waddle and Hill both finished with over 100 receiving yards.
– The offense averaged 3.2 yards per rush, and A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones averaged 3.0 yards each carry.
– Aaron Rodgers threw one interception and 2-3 other passes that could have been intercepted. Christian Watson would have scored a touchdown if Rodgers had not overshot him.
– Jones, who clearly isn’t 100 percent, received only eight touches.
– The Packers lost Dean Lowry, Yosh Nijman, Christian Watson and Keisean Nixon to injuries. They all left the game and not one of them returned.
What does it mean?
The Packers are healthy and in a good position. Amazingly, Matt LaFleur’s team now needs only three individual results to make the postseason: two wins and a Commanders loss. Even if the Commanders don’t cooperate, two wins and two Giants losses would also do the trick. It’s all an incredible situation entering Week 17 considering the Packers were once 4-8 and a team dead in the water. Green Bay was able to win three consecutive games in a matter of months and got all the help it needed from NFC-leading opponents. The Packers will be heading to the playoffs as a potentially dangerous wildcard contender if they keep winning.
Next steps
The Packers welcome the Minnesota Vikings (12-3), to Lambeau Field in a rematch on Week 1. Kevin O’Connell’s team rode a hot start, the transcendent play of Justin Jefferson and good fortune in one-score games to a division title, taking the crown from the Packers in the process. Now, the Packers need to even the season series with the Vikings on New Year’s Day. With a win in Week 17, the Packers could be in position to win the season finale against the Lions and secure a playoff spot. The scenario hovering over this matchup: If the Packers do sneak into the playoffs, a showdown with the Vikings – who could be the No. 2 seed – is possible, maybe even likely.