The Miami Dolphins stormed into Green Bay and kept their 2 game road winning streak alive against the Packers, though it was not easy.
Facing an injury depleted Packers team the Dolphins had a hard time against the Packers offense, and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who gave Miami all they could handle in a losing effort.
Rodgers threw for 313 yards, and one touchdown and an interception, while running for another score. Rodgers day was highlighted by an 86 touchdown hookup between him and wide receiver Greg Jennings.
Rodgers was in for a long day though, as the Dolphins pass rush got to him 5 times for sacks, 3 of them by outside linebacker Cameron Wake, who registered 6 QB hits, 3 tackles and got a key holding call late in the second half. Wake was key in the Dolphins victory, and it was his sack on 3rd down in overtime that got the Packers high-octane offense off the field.
The Dolphins running game got back on track today in rushing for 150 yards on 39 carries. They did not find themselves in the end zone, but they were effective enough to control the pace of the game, and in the end, get the Fins into field goal range for Dan Carpenter.
Fullback Lousaka Polite failed to convert a short yardage attempt for the first time in his last 20 tries, dating back to 2008. He failed to pick up a 3rd and 1 conversion in the second half.
The Dolphins special teams picked up the ball today for the most part. Watching this game, and watching linebacker Bobby Carpenter miss a block that allowed for a punt to be blocked for a second straight week really makes you feel bad for former special teams coach John Bonamego, who was fired because of this knucklehead who doesn't know how to block. Same goes for Lydon Murtha who committed a holding penalty blocking for a field goal that put Carpenter's attempt back to 53 yards. So looking back it may not have been the coaches fault for the special teams mishaps, but the players after all.
Nolan Carroll had a kickoff return average of 26 yards for the Fins, highlighted by a long of 37. Our special teams seems to be picking up their play, as some starters such as Vontae Davis, Yeremiah Bell, and Channing Crowder were inserted on special teams this week.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall registered 10 catches on 17 targets for 127 yards and no touchdowns. Slot receiver Davone Bess had four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Anthony Fasano had a 22 yard touchdown off of a screen play in the fourth quarter that put the Fins up 20-13 late in the 4th.
The Dolphins controlled the ball for 37:56 minutes, compared to the Packers 28:03. The Dolphins wanted to try and keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible and they succeeded.
Jason Allen moves into a tie for 2nd in the league in interceptions with his 3rd interception of the year today coming in the 3rd quarter.
Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby hyperextended his knee in the fourth quarter, but no MRI was needed after the game, and Dansby said he was "fine" after the game as well, so the Dolphins avoided a bullet there.
All in all the Dolphins put in a gutty performance against a tough Packers team. Even though Green Bay was banged up on both sides of the ball, they play tough regardless and Miami found this out today. They managed to pull out the win on the road and this is what good football teams do. Now if only they could manage to win games at home!
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