NFL
Struggling Packers Face the 5-3 Dolphins in Week 10 Matchup
Last week, the Green Bay Packers lost their second straight game falling to 3-4-1 on the season, while the Miami Dolphins took control of the Jets moving up to 5-4.
The Packers season could be on the line with this game. They haven’t looked like themselves since Aaron Rodgers returned from his collarbone bone. However, this could be their chance to get back to .500 on the season. Lambeau field is a place Rodgers thrives, he has won 11 straight home games including the playoffs.
Although Rodgers has been playing at a good level this season with 2,542 yards, 15 touchdowns and only one interception, the Packers have struggled. In their last two games against the Rams and Patriots, they have came so close to the win but given it up because of a fumble.
Defense
Miami Dolphins
Rodgers is tied with Drew Brees for the least interceptions on the season, but the Dolphins are the only team with 3 players with 3 or more interceptions this season (Xavien Howard, T.J. McDonald, Kiko Alonso).
The Dolphins free safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick has allowed the lowest passer rating by a cornerback in coverage this season. He boasts a 50.3 passer rating in coverage, not allowing any touchdowns so far this season.
The Dolphins have been outstanding against the Jets, only allowing 18 points total in both of their meetings, but in every other game of the season, they are allowing 20 or more points.
Green Bay Packers
After trading Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix to the Redskins and the release of Jermaine Whitehead, the Packers might have put themselves in a hole. But rising star, cornerback Jaire Alexander, has come to play. Alexander is a candidate for defensive rookie of the year. He has 30 tackles, a sack an interception and is only allowing 59% of passes to be caught.
The defense is allowing 25.5 points per game but ranked eighth in overall defense. To replace Whitehead, the Packers signed third year player Will Redmond to their active roster. He has yet to play a NFL game because of ACL injuries and will most likely be starting on Sunday against the Dolphins.
Playoff Runs
The Dolphins season could also be on the line for this game. Since 1990, 61.3% of teams made the playoffs after starting 6-4 and 27.5 pct made the playoffs after starting 5-5. The Dolphins made the playoffs in 2016, but fell to the Steelers in the Wild Card weekend. It has been 17 years since they have won a playoff game.
The Packers have made the playoffs every year Aaron Rodgers has played eight or more games except for the 2008 season. Their bad start doesn’t always mean they should be counted out, they do have Rodgers under center. Case and point, in 2016 when the Packers fell to 4-6 they then won their next six games straight to pull out a playoff berth in the wild card weekend. Although they only face three team with a losing record the rest of the season (Cardinals, Jets, Lions) they only face two with winning records (Vikings, Bears).
Photo Credit: Laura Gainor via Flickr
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