The Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers game on Thanksgiving night showcased a stark contrast in team execution, with stats revealing the full story behind Green Bay’s convincing win.
That frigid night at Lambeau Field (November 28, 2024) unfolded as a masterclass by Jordan Love against a Miami team struggling to find answers in the biting cold.
When you see the player stats from this NFL matchup, you notice patterns that explain why the Packers dominated beyond what the final score suggests.
Game at a Glance: Packers 30, Dolphins 17
The NFL Thanksgiving night contest at Lambeau Field on November 28, 2024, saw the Packers secure a commanding victory that pushed their season record to an impressive 9-3.
The box score from this Green Bay vs Miami showdown reveals several critical performance factors:
- Temperature: A brutal 27°F (-2.7°C) Wisconsin winter night
- Wind: 10 mph with occasional snow flurries
- Wind chill: A punishing 18°F
- Team standings impact: Packers solidified playoff position at 9-3, Dolphins slipped to concerning 5-7
This football matchup followed Miami’s historical pattern of struggles in cold-weather environments, raising questions about their ability to compete in northern stadiums during the winter stretch of the NFL season.
The Momentum-Shifting Early Error
The NFL stats sheet shows a critical special teams error that altered the game’s trajectory from the opening minutes.
Rookie receiver Malik Washington muffed a punt in the swirling Lambeau winds, with Packers cornerback Robert Rochell recovering the football at Miami’s 9-yard line.
The turnover statistics proved decisive as Green Bay needed just three offensive plays before Jordan Love connected with Jayden Reed for the opening touchdown.
This special teams breakdown created an immediate scoreboard advantage that shaped the entire Packers-Dolphins contest, forcing Miami to play from behind throughout the evening.
Jordan Love’s Elite Performance
The quarterback comparison statistics reveal why Love continues climbing the NFL quarterback rankings:
- 21 completions on 28 attempts (75.0% completion percentage)
- 274 passing yards (9.8 yards per attempt)
- 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions
- 129.2 passer rating (season-high efficiency mark)
- Perfect pocket protection (0 sacks allowed)
The pass protection metrics stand out dramatically on the stat sheet. While Miami’s quarterback faced constant pressure, Green Bay’s offensive line provided Love with clean throwing lanes all night against the Dolphins’ defensive front.
His passing chart showed remarkable distribution efficiency, connecting with five different receiving targets for multiple completions while consistently finding open windows rather than forcing throws into coverage situations.
Tua’s Deceptive Statistical Performance
Tagovailoa’s passing statistics create an illusion of effectiveness that deeper analysis quickly dispels:
- 37 completions on 46 attempts (80.4% completion rate)
- 365 passing yards (7.9 yards per attempt)
- 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions
- 114.2 passer rating
- 5 sacks absorbed (26 lost yards)
The pressure metrics tell the real story behind these superficially impressive numbers. Tua faced a season-high 26.9% pressure rate according to detailed quarterback pressure analysis, forcing Miami’s offensive strategy to change dramatically.
The second-half passing chart reveals Miami’s tactical adjustment, with Tagovailoa’s average depth of target dropping significantly as the Dolphins abandoned their running game entirely. The offensive play selection shifted to quick-release passes designed specifically to counter Green Bay’s overwhelming defensive front pressure.
The Running Game Disparity Analysis
The rushing statistics comparison provides significant insights into the offensive strategies and effectiveness:
Packers Ground Attack:
- 114 total rushing yards
- 4.6 yards per carry team average
- Josh Jacobs: 19 carries, 43 yards (2.3 YPC), 1 touchdown
- Jet sweep package: 23 additional yards on misdirection plays
Dolphins Run Game Struggles:
- 39 total rushing yards (season-low production)
- 2.8 yards per carry team average
- Raheem Mostert limited to 5 carries for 19 yards
- Fourth consecutive game below 100 rushing yards
These rushing analytics highlight how Green Bay maintained offensive balance despite individual efficiency challenges. The coaching staff’s commitment to running despite Jacobs’ modest 2.3 yards per carry average created defensive respect that opened play-action passing opportunities throughout the game.
The NFL’s cold-weather rushing statistics continue showing a troubling pattern for Miami, who consistently struggle establishing ground control against physical defensive fronts in lower-temperature environments. This rushing production disparity forced Miami into predictable passing situations, allowing Green Bay’s defensive front to focus on pressuring Tagovailoa.
Wide Receiver and Tight End Statistical Impact
The receiving corps metrics showcase different approaches to passing game distribution:
Green Bay Pass Catchers:
- Tucker Kraft: 6 receptions, 78 yards, 13.0 yards per catch
- Christian Watson: 2 receptions, 67 yards, 33.5 yards per catch (including explosive 46-yard reception)
- Jayden Reed: 3 receptions, 24 yards, 8.0 yards per catch, 2 red zone touchdowns
Miami Receiving Options:
- Jonnu Smith: 10 receptions, 113 yards, 11.3 yards per catch
- Tyreek Hill: 6 receptions, 83 yards, 13.8 yards per catch, 1 touchdown
- Jaylen Waddle: 4 receptions, 53 yards, 13.3 yards per catch
The target distribution analysis reveals how Smith functioned as Tagovailoa’s primary safety valve when pressure mounted, creating consistent separation in intermediate zones. The catching percentage statistics (receptions divided by targets) further demonstrate how Miami’s offensive strategy shifted toward high-percentage short passing options as the game progressed.
Critical Fourth Quarter Goal Line Defensive Stand
Football game analytics identify the definitive momentum swing occurring early in the fourth quarter with Miami trailing 27-11.
The drive efficiency metrics showed Miami moving 70 yards to reach Green Bay’s 1-yard line, creating a potential one-possession game scenario. What followed represents peak defensive situational football:
- Second down (1-yard line): Rashan Gary penetration forces Achane lateral movement, resulting in zero gain
- Third down (1-yard line): Keisean Nixon perfect coverage technique breaks up Tagovailoa’s pass to Jonnu Smith
- Fourth down (1-yard line): Quay Walker blitz execution creates 6-yard loss on decisive quarterback sack
This red zone defensive sequence represents the game’s most significant win probability swing according to advanced metrics. The goal line stand showcased Green Bay’s situational defensive excellence and physical control at the game’s most critical juncture.
The Fundamental Tackling Breakdown
The defensive efficiency statistics highlight an execution gap that transcended scheme or talent differences.
The Dolphins’ defensive metrics show an alarming 17-20 missed tackles throughout the contest, gifting Green Bay approximately 125 yards after contact. This tackling efficiency rate ranked among Miami’s worst performances of the season.
These defensive fundamentals proved so problematic that Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks used the term “soft” to describe his unit’s performance in his post-game assessment. The comprehensive defensive breakdown analysis aligns perfectly with his assessment, showing Miami defenders consistently failing to complete initial contact opportunities.
Injury Impact Analysis
The Dolphins’ availability report shows significant defensive secondary depletion that altered their coverage capabilities:
- Starting nickel cornerback Kader Kohou: First quarter exit (back injury diagnosis)
- Depth cornerback Cam Smith: Mid-game departure (shoulder injury)
- Starting right tackle Kendall Lamm: Unable to complete game
- Starting cornerback Kendall Fuller: Inactive (concussion protocol)
These personnel losses created defensive backfield deployment challenges, forcing Miami to elevate rookies and special teams contributors into primary coverage roles against Green Bay’s sophisticated passing attack. The snap count distribution statistics reveal how Miami’s defensive substitution patterns changed dramatically following these injuries, particularly affecting their nickel package capabilities.
Playoff Implications and Season Trajectory
Green Bay’s Contender Status: This victory strengthens their NFC playoff positioning significantly. Their 9-3 record places them firmly among conference leaders, showing balanced statistical production across offensive, defensive, and special teams units. Their physical football identity appears perfectly timed for the NFL’s winter stretch.
Miami’s Postseason Challenges: The 5-7 record creates a precarious playoff math situation requiring almost perfect results through their remaining schedule. This defeat exposed continuing issues with technical fundamentals, cold-weather performance metrics, and offensive line protection statistics that represent critical areas needing immediate improvement.
Fantasy Football Statistical Impact
The player statistics from this matchup created significant fantasy football implications:
Fantasy Scoring Winners:
- Jordan Love: 21.96 fantasy points (21/28 completions, 274 yards, 2 TDs, 0 turnovers)
- Jonnu Smith: 11.3 PPR fantasy points (10 receptions, 113 yards)
- Packers Defense/Special Teams: 12 fantasy points (5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 17 points allowed)
Fantasy Performance Disappointments:
- Josh Jacobs: 10.3 fantasy points despite touchdown (43 rushing yards on 19 carries, 2.3 YPC)
- Dolphins Running Back Committee: Combined 3.9 fantasy points (39 total rushing yards)
- Tyreek Hill: 14.3 PPR points (6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD) – below his 19.2 point season average
Key Questions About Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Statistics
What role did weather conditions play in the Dolphins’ performance?
The statistical evidence strongly indicates significant impact. Miami’s cold-weather performance metrics show consistent struggles, with their tackling efficiency dropping measurably in sub-freezing conditions. Their 27°F Lambeau Field rushing production (39 yards) continues a pattern of ground game inefficiency below 40°F.
Which game sequence created the largest win probability swing?
Advanced analytics identify Green Bay’s fourth-quarter goal line stand as the definitive moment. When trailing 27-11, Miami’s failed three-play sequence from the 1-yard line represented a potential 14-point swing that would have created a one-possession game. Instead, the turnover on downs effectively sealed the outcome.
How do the quarterback statistical profiles compare?
While both quarterbacks recorded similar completion percentages and touchdown totals, the efficiency metrics favor Love significantly. His 9.8 yards per attempt, zero sacks taken, and 129.2 passer rating demonstrate superior offensive effectiveness compared to Tagovailoa’s five sacks absorbed and 7.9 yards per attempt despite a higher completion percentage.
Which pass-catcher delivered the most impactful performance?
Reception volume statistics favor Jonnu Smith (10 catches, 113 yards), but scoring impact metrics highlight Jayden Reed’s two touchdowns. Advanced EPA (Expected Points Added) calculations show Reed’s red zone contributions providing greater game outcome influence despite Smith’s higher yardage total.
What single statistical category most influenced the final result?
Missed tackle data stands as the most significant statistical separator. Miami’s 17-20 missed tackles resulting in approximately 125 YAC (yards after contact) represents nearly the entire scoring margin. This fundamental execution metric correlates directly with Green Bay’s offensive efficiency advantages.
The Final Statistical Picture
The Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers match player stats paint a clear picture of efficiency triumphing over volume. The game analytics show Green Bay executing a balanced, physically dominant approach across offense, defense, and special teams, while Miami compiled impressive yardage totals that ultimately failed to translate into scoreboard success.
Green Bay’s performance metrics continue strengthening their NFC contender status, displaying the same physical football identity that proved so effective against the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this season. The statistical patterns emerging from these matchups increasingly separate genuine playoff contenders from teams lacking fundamentals as the NFL playoff race intensifies.
The comprehensive Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers match player stats provide crucial insights into both teams’ trajectories moving forward in the NFL season, with Green Bay ascending while Miami faces critical questions about their postseason viability.
