The Miami Dolphins forced a three-pointer early in their Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, but almost everything went wrong from that point on, resulting in a 30-17 loss.
Green Bay's first punt of the game was blocked by rookie returner Malik Washington, giving the Packers an early touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Dolphins then wasted their first offensive possession by incurring three penalties, including a 15-yard foul on Jonnu Smith. The first half continued from there.
The Packers had a 24-3 lead at halftime and scored a field goal in the third quarter that increased the Dolphins' deficit to 24.
Miami showed signs of life as it mounted a touchdown drive and capped it with a two-point conversion. But a subsequent offensive attack reached the Packers' 1-yard line and failed to cross the goal line. Although the Dolphins eventually got a touchdown, it was far too little, too late.
With the loss, the Dolphins drop to 5-7 and will need a lot of help to stay alive in the AFC playoff race. Here's how Miami's Thanksgiving loss at Lambeau Field happened:
Dolphins MVP of the game: TE Jonnu Smith
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Smith has emerged as Tagovailoa's most reliable passing target in recent weeks, and Thursday was no different. The veteran tight end caught 10 of the 11 passes thrown his way for a game-leading 113 yards.
Packers MVP of the game: QB Jordan Love
Jordan Love (19) to Jayden Reed (5)
Green Bay Packers
3 meters— NFL touchdown videos (@NFLTDsVideos)
Love has a reputation for being a gunslinger, but he kept the ball out of harm's way on Thursday. He was free of interceptions for the second time this season as he rushed for 274 yards with two touchdowns in the Dolphins' secondary. His passer rating of 129.2 was the second highest of his career.
Dolphins play: De'Von Achanes 14-yard touchdown
It was over when…the Dolphins turned the ball over on downs with nine minutes left
After an eight-yard run by Achane on first down, the Dolphins were just one yard away from a touchdown that might have cut the Packers' 16-point lead to eight. But another Achane run went to waste, a pass to Jonnu Smith was deflected and Tagovailoa was sacked on fourth down.
Any hope of a miraculous comeback after a 27-3 hole was essentially dead. The ensuing 78-yard drive for the Packers was the nail in the coffin, even though it only ended in a field goal.
A statistic that says it all: 20 missed tackles for the Dolphins
This was the Packers' 7th explosive (gain of 12+ yards) designed run to a WR this season, the most in the NFL (per ).
The Lions are in 2nd place with 4, 11 teams have 0. Jayden Reed has 5.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice)
The Packers' ball carriers ran through the Dolphins' defenders most of the night as if nothing had happened. For a team that wants to put an end to the narrative that they are soft, incapable of playing in the cold and incapable of winning big games, the Dolphins have done everything they can to make these claims seem like undeniable truths .
What's next?
(Photo by Rich Story/Getty Images)
The Dolphins return to Hard Rock Stadium in Week 14 for a game against the New York Jets. It will be the first of two games against the Jets this season, with the Dolphins' annual trip to MetLife Stadium scheduled for the regular-season finale in Week 18.
New York is 3-8 and spent Week 12 with a bye but will return to action Sunday afternoon against the Seattle Seahawks.