When the Miami Dolphins travel to Wisconsin for a Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, weather forecasters are predicting an unsurprisingly cool night at Lambeau Field.
The Dolphins should expect the temperature to be over 20°C at kickoff, with gusts of wind causing it to get even colder. Tua Tagovailoa says he's up for the challenge.
“I'm looking forward to killing narratives, so let's go. Bring it forward,” Tagovailoa said Sunday after a 34-19 win over the New England Patriots. “We'll enjoy this win, but the next one will be big for us and we're looking forward to going to Green Bay and showing everyone what we can do in prime time.”
The Dolphins have developed a reputation for producing high offensive power in the South Florida sun but being unable to run at full speed in the cold. Last season, Miami led the NFL in offensive output and was second in scoring, but the year ended with a 26-7 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in frigid weather.
“Play in cold weather. It’s going to be real football weather,” Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said of the upcoming game in Green Bay. “They do their best. We do our best. Thursday Night Football, man, that’s what it’s all about.”
The Dolphins are on a three-game winning streak that has helped them to a 2-6 start to the year for a place in the playoffs. But the Packers improved to 8-3 with a blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Cold-weather failures aren't the only narrative the Dolphins need to shake. The team also has a reputation for winning against subpar opponents but failing to beat their competitors.
Last season, the Dolphins had a 10-1 record against teams that finished with a losing record and a 1-5 record against opponents that finished the year above .500. So far in 2024, the Los Angeles Rams, at 5-5, are the only team the Dolphins beat that has more than three wins.
Miami is trying its best to make up for a difficult start to the season and the team has found its rhythm in recent weeks. But Thursday will say a lot about whether or not the team has actually turned things around.
