Skip to main content
Advertising

Aaron Rodgers lifts Packers to win over Dolphins

Aaron Rodgers zipped a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andrew Quarless to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Our takeaways:

  1. Rodgers was flawless on the opening touchdown series as well as in the two-minute drill on the game-winning drive. He was sporadic in between, with superstar Cameron Wake and the Dolphins' defensive line winning the battle of the trenches. The Packers emerged victorious because of Rodgers' sensational ability to extend the play and find open receivers with improvisation. Over the past three weeks, Rodgers has completed 67 percent of his passes at 8.3 yards per attempt for 10 touchdowns without an interception. He's back in the thick of the MVP discussion.
  1. Ryan Tannehill threw a pair of interceptions in one of the worst first-half performances of his three-year career. With starting cornerbacks Tramon Williams (ankle) and Sam Shields (knee) nursing injuries in the second half, Tannehill bounced back impressively, leading touchdown drives of 80, 80 and 77 yards.
  1. The Dolphins have a player in second-round wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who is excellent after the catch and a threat on kickoff returns. He might be second in the pecking order behind Mike Wallace by the end of the season.
  1. After Rodgers told reporters during the practice week that he noticed Davante Adams separating from coverage on game tape, the Packers got the rookie involved early and often. Adams' eight targets were second only to Jordy Nelson's 16. Enjoying an All-Pro-caliber season, Nelson is on pace for 115 receptions, 1,685 yards and 13 touchdowns.
  1. With the offensive line getting pushed around again, Green Bay's ground attack never had a chance for success. Eddie Lacy ran hard, but the holes weren't there this week. He was replaced by James Starks for a significant portion of the second half when the Packers realized they couldn't win by running.
  1. Lamar Miller outplayed Knowshon Moreno in the latter's first game back from an elbow injury. Moreno was stuffed on three consecutive goal-line chances and didn't have the same juice in his legs that he showcased in early September. Miller dominated playing time in the second half as the Dolphins' offense came alive.
  1. With the Packers' defense showing incremental improvement and Rodgers' passing game clicking on all cylinders, the NFC North has two legitimate playoff contenders. The Lions are for real, too.

We recap all the Week 6 action on a jaunty edition of the "Around the NFL Podcast." Find more Around The NFL content on NFL Now.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content