Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats Breakdown (Nov 28, 2024)

The Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers clash on Thanksgiving night turned into a lopsided affair, with Jordan Love showing why he’s becoming one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

The chill of Lambeau turned this game into exactly what football purists love about holiday games.

This matchup had all the drama NFL fans crave during holiday football – cold weather, physical play, and game-changing moments that shifted momentum.

Game at a Glance: Packers 30, Dolphins 17

The Thanksgiving night contest at Lambeau Field on November 28, 2024, ended with the Packers securing a convincing victory over the Dolphins.

Some quick facts about the game conditions:

Temperature: A bone-chilling 27°F (-2.7°C)
Wind: 10 mph with light flurries
Wind chill: Just 18°F
Records after game: Packers improved to 9-3, Dolphins fell to 5-7

The cold weather narrative continued to haunt Miami, with their road performance in frigid conditions remaining a legitimate concern.

The Momentum-Shifting Early Mistake

The game changed before it really began.

Rookie receiver Malik Washington muffed a punt, and Packers cornerback Robert Rochell pounced on the ball at the Dolphins’ 9-yard line.

Within seconds, Green Bay capitalized on the mistake, scoring just three plays later when Jordan Love found Jayden Reed for a touchdown.

This blunder set the tone from which the Dolphins never fully recovered.

Jordan Love Put On a Clinic

The stats speak volumes about Love’s command of the game:

21 completions on 28 attempts (75.0%)
274 passing yards
2 touchdowns
0 interceptions
129.2 passer rating (his season best)

The most telling stat? Zero sacks taken. The Packers offensive line kept Love completely clean against Miami’s pass rush.

What impressed me most was his distribution – finding five different receivers for multiple catches while never forcing the ball into tight coverage.

Tua Tagovailoa’s Numbers Deceive

Tagovailoa’s final stat line masks the struggles he faced:

37 completions on 46 attempts (80.4%)
365 passing yards
2 touchdowns
0 interceptions
114.2 passer rating

Behind these seemingly strong numbers lies a harsher truth: Tua was under siege all night, taking 5 sacks and facing constant pressure (26.9% pressure rate – his highest of the season).

His performance improved in the second half out of necessity as Miami abandoned the run entirely, resorting to quick, short passes to counteract Green Bay’s relentless pressure.

The Running Game Disparity

The ground attack comparison reveals much about how this game unfolded:

Team	Total Rushing	YPC	Leading Rusher	Notes
Packers	114 yards	4.6	Josh Jacobs: 19 for 43 yards, 1 TD	Added 23 yards on jet sweeps
Dolphins	39 yards	2.8	Raheem Mostert: 5 for 19 yards	Fourth straight game under 100 yards

This massive difference in rushing effectiveness allowed Green Bay to maintain offensive balance while forcing Miami into predictable passing situations.

What truly stands out is how the Packers committed to the run despite Jacobs averaging just 2.3 yards per carry. This commitment kept the defense honest and opened up play-action opportunities for Love throughout the game.

Meanwhile, Miami’s inability to establish any ground threat has become a concerning pattern, especially against physical fronts in cold weather environments.

Key Receiver Performances

For Green Bay:

Tucker Kraft: 6 catches for 78 yards
Christian Watson: 2 catches for 67 yards, including a 46-yard reception
Jayden Reed: 3 catches for 24 yards and 2 crucial touchdowns

For Miami:

Jonnu Smith: 10 catches for 113 yards
Tyreek Hill: 6 catches for 83 yards and 1 touchdown
Jaylen Waddle: 4 catches for 53 yards

Smith became Tua’s safety valve as the game progressed, consistently finding space in the intermediate areas of the field.

The Goal Line Stand That Changed Everything

The true turning point came early in the fourth quarter with Miami trailing 27-11.

The Dolphins had driven 70 yards to the Packers’ 1-yard line with a chance to make it a one-possession game. What followed was a defensive masterclass:

Second down: Rashan Gary stuffed Achane for no gain
Third down: Keisean Nixon broke up a pass to Jonnu Smith
Fourth down: Quay Walker sacked Tagovailoa for a 6-yard loss

This sequence completely deflated Miami’s comeback hopes and showcased Green Bay’s physical dominance when it mattered most.

The Tackling Problem That Doomed Miami

The most glaring difference between these teams wasn’t in scheme or talent but in fundamental execution.

The Dolphins missed between 17-20 tackles according to multiple reports, resulting in approximately 125 extra yards for the Packers.

This fundamental breakdown led linebacker Jordyn Brooks to describe his unit’s play as “soft” in post-game comments.

Key Defensive Standouts

For Green Bay:

Xavier McKinney: 7 tackles (6 solo) and 1 sack
Quay Walker: 6 tackles (all solo), 2 tackles for loss, and the game-altering fourth-and-goal sack
Keisean Nixon: 6 solo tackles and the critical pass breakup at the goal line

For Miami:

Tyrel Dodson: 5 solo tackles
Jordyn Brooks: 5 tackles (4 solo)
Jevon Holland: 4 tackles

The Packers defensive front generated consistent pressure, with five different players recording sacks against Tagovailoa.

How Injuries Shaped the Game

The Dolphins were particularly hard hit by injuries, especially in their secondary:

Starting nickel CB Kader Kohou left in the first quarter with a back injury
Depth CB Cam Smith exited with a shoulder injury
Starting RT Kendall Lamm couldn’t finish the game
Starting CB Kendall Fuller was already inactive with a concussion

These injuries forced rookies and special teams players into significant roles against Green Bay’s efficient passing attack.

What This Result Means Moving Forward

For Green Bay: The win solidifies their status as serious NFC contenders. At 9-3, they’re demonstrating balance on both sides of the ball and playing physical football at the perfect time of year.

For Miami: At 5-7, their playoff hopes are fading quickly. This loss highlighted persistent issues with fundamentals, cold weather performance, and offensive line play that will require serious attention.

Fantasy Impact Analysis

For fantasy managers, this game produced several notable performances:

Winners:

Jordan Love: His efficient 21/28, 274 yards, 2 TD performance without turnovers delivered solid fantasy value
Jonnu Smith: His 10 catches for 113 yards made him the surprise TE1 for the week
Packers D/ST: The 5 sacks and goal line stand translated to a strong fantasy showing

Disappointments:

Josh Jacobs: Despite the touchdown, his 43 rushing yards on 19 carries (2.3 YPC) frustrated managers
Dolphins Running Backs: With just 39 total rushing yards, both Achane and Mostert were fantasy duds
Tyreek Hill: While 6/83/1 isn’t terrible, managers expecting his usual WR1 numbers were left wanting more

Playoff Implications

At 9-3, the Packers solidified their position in the NFC playoff race and maintained pace with other contenders. Their remaining schedule includes matchups against teams struggling to find consistency, making 12+ wins a reasonable projection.

The Dolphins, now 5-7, face a steep uphill battle for postseason contention. Miami will need to win out and get help from other teams to have any realistic shot at securing a wild card berth. Their previous matchup against the Tennessee Titans now looms larger in their disappointing season.

FAQs About Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats

Did the cold weather affect the Dolphins performance?

The evidence strongly points to yes. Miami continued their historical struggles in cold weather, with poor tackling and an inability to establish the run game being particularly noticeable in the 27°F conditions.

What was the biggest play of the game?

The goal line stand by Green Bay in the fourth quarter. With Miami threatening to make it a one-possession game, the Packers defence stopped them on three consecutive plays from the 1-yard line.

How did Jordan Love perform compared to Tua Tagovailoa?

While both quarterbacks posted good passer ratings, Love was more efficient and better protected. Love completed 75% of his passes with no sacks taken, while Tua was under constant pressure and sacked five times despite completing 80.4% of his throws.

Which receiver had the best game?

Statistically, Jonnu Smith of the Dolphins led all receivers with 10 catches for 113 yards. However, Jayden Reed of the Packers scored two crucial touchdowns that directly impacted the outcome.

What was the biggest statistical difference between the teams?

Miami’s missed tackles were the most glaring disparity. The Dolphins missed 17-20 tackles resulting in approximately 125 extra yards for Green Bay, fundamentally changing the game.

The Final Word

The Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers match player stats tell a story of efficiency versus volume. The Packers executed a balanced, physical game plan in all three phases, while the Dolphins accumulated passing yards but failed in critical moments.

Green Bay continues to establish themselves as legitimate contenders, building on the same physical style they displayed against the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the season. These fundamental differences in execution will likely continue to separate contenders from pretenders as the playoff race intensifies.