The Miami Dolphins appeared lifeless in the water a month ago.
The squad was 2-6 and appeared to be closer to the No. 1 overall choice than the playoffs, even after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned from a concussion in Week 2 that kept him out of four games.
Since then, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have been on fire, winning three in a row and falling just 1 1/2 games short of the AFC’s final postseason berth. Additionally, Tagovailoa has played some of his best football in the five weeks since his comeback, recording a 76.5% completion percentage, 11 touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 116.2.
Miami now resembles the squad that qualified for the playoffs the previous two seasons despite its flaws. However, none of the Dolphins’ five wins this season have come against a club that is currently winning, despite the fact that the last three victories have been outstanding and the previous two losses both came on game-winning field goals.
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Miami’s standing as a contender will therefore be put to the test on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.
On Thanksgiving, the Dolphins will try to allay a number of critiques. Can Tagovailoa defeat a victorious squad? Is Miami able to win during prime time? Can chilly weather help the offense?
In many respects, the Packers act as the Dolphins’ antithesis.
Although his r sum isn’t as lengthy, quarterback Jordan Love, who was selected in the same 2020 draft class as Tagovailoa, might have a longer one.
Love saved a 2-5 Green Bay squad in his debut season as a starter, helping them finish with a 7-3 record and a postseason berth. During that run, they defeated the Detroit Lions on the road and the Kansas City Chiefs at home on “Sunday Night Football.”
In November, December, and January, all seven of those victories occurred. As a precaution, Love and the Packers also traveled and defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs’ opening round.
That is essentially the opposite of Miami’s final result from the previous season. The Dolphins were blown out by the Chiefs in the postseason after starting 8-3 and limping to a 3-3 finish.
Green Bay has jumped off to an 8-3 start this season. The Packers rank seventh in terms of scoring and sixth in terms of total offense. Despite missing several games due to a knee injury, Love is tied for sixth place in the NFL with 18 passing touchdowns.
Green Bay managed to win without Love, finishing 2-0 in his place, in contrast to the Dolphins, who lost 1-3 in four games without Tagovailoa. The Packers’ potent rushing offense, which ranked third in the league, was a major factor in that victory.
Miami has wasted almost all of its previous high-profile chances to demonstrate its abilities. The Dolphins fell to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 of the season, to Kansas City in Germany, and to the Philadelphia Eagles on the road on “Sunday Night Football.” Down the stretch, Love and Green Bay were winning those kinds of games.
Considering the terrifying nature of what was at least his third career concussion earlier this season, Tagovailoa’s performance over the past five weeks is ultimately nothing to laugh at. However, he and the Dolphins must defeat a Packers squad that has shown itself to be one step ahead of them if they wish to maintain their postseason chances.
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