The Dolphins take their three-game win streak on the road to Green Bay to face the 8-3 Packers who are looking for a third consecutive victory of their own.
It's a Turkey Day prime time showdown under the lights in frigid Green Bay, Wisconsin, where temperatures are expected to be under 30 degrees. A win for the Dolphins would even their record at 6-6 with the benefit of a mini bye week ahead of a divisional matchup with the New York Jets.
The Miami offense has been red hot since the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who's coming off a four-touchdown showing as he improved his record over the New England Patriots to 7-0. The Dolphins are averaging 29 points per game with Tagovailoa back under center. That number is just one point fewer than the 2023 Dolphins, who were a little more dependent on the long ball and explosive plays to get to the same destination.
What's changed with the offense?
"Staying on the field, managing situational ball the way I think we have these past couple of weeks has definitely helped," Tagovailoa said. "I think also being able to elongate drives 鈥 I would say that's the biggest difference with our offense this year."
Miami might need another game where the offense flirts with 30 points. The Packers, behind fellow 2020 draft class quarterback Jordan Love, are averaging 26.2 points per game this season, eighth-most in the NFL.
While Green Bay has been entrenched in plenty of one-score games this year, their 38-10 win Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers was the biggest differential of their season. Running back Josh Jacobs helped the Packers roll up 169 yards on the ground and became the first runner to eclipse the century mark (106) against a 49ers defense in 54 games.
Jacobs provides the Packers with balance but the Dolphins' ball control offense has helped support a defense that has limited the last three opponents to under 20 points. The key to the defensive production is the versatility of the entire unit. It starts with cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey has two interceptions and according to Pro Football Focus, has surrendered just one touchdown and held opposing receivers to just 287 yards this season on 400 snaps in pass coverage. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 78.2 when targeting Ramsey.
The Dolphins will have to hold Love and the high-powered Packers in check without the services of cornerback Kendall Fuller and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. The Packers are missing key pieces as well. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and cornerback Jaire Alexander will not play for the green and gold.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team's official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Thursday, November 28 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
