The Packers secured a 30-17 victory over the Dolphins on Thanksgiving night, and while Jordan Love’s efficient performance and key runs from backs Emmanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks grabbed attention, the real story of the game was Green Bay’s defense.
Despite Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s impressive stat line (37-for-46 passing for 365 yards), the Packers’ defense dominated. Tagovailoa was sacked five times and struggled against Green Bay’s game plan. The Packers focused on shutting down Miami’s run game (just 39 yards on 14 carries) and limiting explosive pass plays from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The Packers allowed only one notable play from Hill—a 30-yard gain on a short pass late in the game, when the outcome was already decided. By forcing Tagovailoa to settle for short, quick throws, Green Bay effectively neutralized Miami’s high-powered offense. Of Tagovailoa’s 46 pass attempts, only two traveled more than 20 yards, and both were incomplete.
“He gets confused a little bit and just checks it down,” Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie told The Athletic. “Our hook players come down and try to smash the carrier.”
Tua Tagovailoa Avoids Blaming Cold Weather
Ahead of the game, one storyline revolved around Miami’s ability to perform in cold weather. The Dolphins had won three straight games since Tagovailoa returned from a concussion earlier this season, but they faltered against the Packers, hampered by pre-snap penalties and a lack of rhythm.
“I wouldn’t say any of the things that were out there as far as the elements are going to be used as an excuse for the reason as to why we started slow,” Tagovailoa said postgame.
He acknowledged that the Packers’ defensive strategy—shutting down the run game—was a key factor in Miami’s struggles.
“I think it makes it challenging for any offense to go out there and not sort of be one-dimensional, but to mix in runs and then mix in play passes with those runs,” Tagovailoa explained. “Obviously tonight we were a little more pass-heavy, but it does make it tougher. Sometimes that is what the game asks of you, especially when you are playing catch-up from behind.”
Packers Defense Hitting Its Stride
Under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers’ defense has hit its groove. After early-season struggles, the unit has not allowed an opponent to score more than 20 points in the last three weeks, giving up an average of just 15.3 points per game during that span.
Star safety Xavier McKinney credited the Packers’ defensive approach against Tagovailoa.
“A lot of the stuff is dink and dunk, but you’re not going to beat us doing that,” McKinney said. “You can do that all day, but at the end of the day, we got a really good offense that’s going to put up points, and eventually, you’re going to have to take a shot down the field.”
