NFL
By: Monte Perez
Both the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins are battling for their playoff lives. The loser of this game could be knocked out of the postseason.
Packers 6-8 @ 8-6 Dolphins:
Time: 1 PM Eastern
TV: Fox
Betting Line: Dolphins favored by 4 points
Green Bay:
The Packers have won 2 games in a row for the first time since October 2nd. They defeated a bad Los Angeles Rams team, 24-12 on Monday night. Where Patrick Mahomes has thrived without his No.1 option, Tyreek Hill, Aaron Rodgers continues to struggle without Davante Adams. Rodgers has 23 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions and has been sacked 27 times on the year. Green Bay is led by Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Jones leads the team in rushing yards and receptions. Dillon has over 600 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. The WR’s are by committee. Allen Lazard, Christian Watson, and TE, Robert Tonyan have 121 catches and 13 touchdowns combined.
Green Bays’ strength on defense is in the passing game. They are only allowing 185 yards per game in the air. That is ranked 2nd in the NFL but they can not stop the Run. They are ranked 29th in run defense, giving up 148.9 yards per contest.
Dolphins:
Miami’s struggles on offense came to an end against the Buffalo Bills. In freezing temperatures and snow, the Dolphins scored 29 points in their loss. Quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa has come out of his slump. On the year, he is completing 64% of his passes with 24 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Has there been a better WR combination in the history of the NFL than Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. The dynamic duo has 171 catches for 2646 yards and 14 total touchdowns. Miami has finally found a running game. Last week in upstate New York, they rushed for 188 yards.
Defensively, this is a work in progress. They are ranked 10th against the rush but 27th against the pass. They are giving up 246 yards in the air per game.
Prediction:
This game is going to be a chess match. The Packers defense is good against the pass and the Dolphins want to throw the ball. Miami’s defense is good against the run and Green Bay wants to pound the rock. I expect a high-scoring game with both teams making big plays. The Dolphins should pull away in the 4th quarter and knock the Packers out of the playoffs. Miami gets their Christmas victory.
Dolphins… 34… Packers 27
