By The Associated Press’s Steve Megargee
GREEN BAY The Miami Dolphins had a chance this week to refute the notion that they couldn’t perform well in frigid temperatures, according to Wis. Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins lost to the Green Bay Packers 30-17 on Thursday night in light snow, ending their three-game winning streak. However, they finally lost in the cold once more.
In the last 12 regular-season or postseason games where the kickoff temperature was 40 degrees (4.4 Celsius) or lower, the Dolphins (5-7) have lost. On Thanksgiving, the temperature at Lambeau Field was 27 degrees (-2.7 Celsius), with gusts of 10 mph and a wind chill of 18.
According to defensive lineman Calais Campbell, “we’re definitely not going to use that as an excuse.” I understand, of course, with the stories from previous years or anything. However, it wasn’t an awful day.
According to Packers safety Xavier McKinney, the weather had an impact.
They’re obviously traveling from Miami, where it’s hot, and you get impacted when you come here and play in the cold, McKinney said. Therefore, I believe it had an impact on all members of that team.
The last time Miami won a game that started with a temperature of 40 degrees or lower was on December 24, 2016, when they defeated Buffalo 34-31 in overtime.
The temperature The Dolphins’ experience on Thursday was very different from their experience in the playoffs’ wild-card round the previous season. It was minus-4 degrees (-20 Celsius) at kickoff, with a wind chill of minus-27, and Miami’s 2023 season ended with a 26-7 loss to Kansas City.
Although the Dolphins’ performance this time didn’t appear to be directly impacted by the weather, they weren’t quite as effective as they had been during a winning run that had given them newfound hope for the playoffs.
Despite completing 37-of-46 for 365 yards and two touchdowns, Tagovailoa received little assistance and was fired five times. The Packers led 27-3 in the third quarter, forcing Miami to play catch-up.
We’re not going to use any of that as an excuse for not getting the start we desired, in my opinion and the opinion of our team, Tagovailoa stated.
Malik’s muffed punt Green Bay’s first touchdown was made possible by Washington giving the Packers a first-and-goal. Six of the Dolphins’ ten penalties were in the first half.
Coach Mike McDaniel stated that we weren’t false-starting or neglecting to snap the ball before a game delay due to the cold. When we watch the tape, I believe it will demonstrate that. However, if you want to succeed in this league, you will eventually have to conquer it, just like anything else.
On Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa tosses a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers. (Photo by Matt Ludtke/AP)
After having second-and-goal at the 1 in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins failed to score at all and settled for a field goal on a goal-to-go situation in the first half.
Nickel Kader Kohou and cornerback Cam Smith were injured, adding to a defense already lacking linebacker Anthony Walker and cornerback Kendall Fuller.
The Dolphins supposedly took two and a half quarters to warm up in the frigid conditions, which may have been appropriate.
“We can beat anybody when we’re playing at our best,” Campbell remarked. However, we did not play our best ball today.
The Dolphins promised to make this one interesting, and Miami has enough firepower to come back from almost any deficit.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins marched down the field once again and had second-and-goal on the 1 after forcing a punt with a third-and-1 stop of Josh Jacobs and scoring a touchdown.
The final yard was elusive.
On second down, De Von Achane was stopped. Tagovailoa was sacked on fourth down after failing to make contact with Jonnu Smith on third down.
From there, the Packers won the game. Additionally, the Dolphins’ prospects of securing a third consecutive postseason appearance were seriously harmed by being left out in the cold once more.
In terms of our team’s chances for the season, Tagovailoa stated, “I would say this one was a tough one for us.” I am aware of the significance this game held for many of the men in that locker room. For our team, I wouldn’t say the dream is dead yet. In this league, anything can happen.
On Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) breaks a tackle by Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) during the second half of an NFL football game. (Photo by Mike Roemer/AP)
To have any chance of returning to the playoffs, the Dolphins will likely need to learn how to win in cold weather because they have virtually no tolerance for mistake. Miami plays the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on the road in back-to-back games to end the regular season.
According to McDaniel, “I believe our guys know they can execute in the cold weather, so I think they will look forward to it the next opportunity.” They therefore want to and need to.
https://apnews.com/hub/NFL is the AP NFL.
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