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The Packers (6-8) will likely need to win their remaining three
games and get some help to have a chance. Green Bay's next step
in that goal will be one of its most difficult as it takes on
the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sunday afternoon
-- the first of three NFL games on Christmas Day.
The Dolphins (8-6) could also use the victory to stay in the
playoff picture after losing their past three games -- all on
the road -- and slipping from first place in the AFC East to the
seventh and final spot in the conference.
The Packers lost seven of eight to fall to 4-8 before putting
together back-to-back victories to revive talk of the
postseason. Green Bay's 24-12 victory at home on Monday night
over the Los Angeles Rams, in which running back tandem Aaron
Jones and AJ Dillon combined for 197 scrimmage yards and three
touchdowns, pulled the Packers to within 1 1/2 games of the
Washington Commanders for the NFC's final wild-card spot. Green
Bay is also one game behind the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit
Lions, who each have 7-7 records.
If the Packers overcome the Dolphins, Rodgers would likely have
to then lead Green Bay to back-to-back wins at home against the
already-clinched NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings and the
Lions, while hoping the Seahawks and Commanders fade down the
stretch.
"We've got two. Got two in the bag. I don't know," Rodgers said.
"Look, before the Bears week, we knew we had a bye afterwards,
and those of us who sometimes peek ahead knew that we had to win
five and then have a lot of things go our way. So, we've won two
and just about everything we needed to happen has gone our way.
Just about, right? So, things are looking up."
Green Bay's defense played one of its best games of the season
led by Preston Smith (two sacks) as it sacked Rams' quarterback
Baker Mayfield five times and had an interception.
They figure to have a much greater challenge trying to slow down
a Dolphins' offense replete with weapons such as receivers
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins fell 32-29 at Buffalo on a last-second field goal
last Saturday, but they looked impressive at times in a hostile
environment against one of the league's bona fide Super Bowl
contenders.
Miami's Tua Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passer rating at 107.8
and threw a pair of touchdown passes -- including a 67-yarder to
Waddle -- against the Bills. But it was the Dolphins' running
game (even without injured back Jeff Wilson Jr.) that played a
factor in Miami having a chance to beat the Bills for the second
time this season.
Led by Raheem Mostert's 136 yards on 17 carries, the Dolphins
amassed 188 yards on the ground and averaged 7.5 yards per
carry. And yet the Dolphins struggled in short-yardage
situations, converting only one third down of three or fewer
yards in six such opportunities and often electing to pass in
those situations.
"I've always valued the run game," Tagovailoa said. "I think you
guys have followed my career enough to know that I've been
involved in it and have always really seen the line of scrimmage
as the place where games are won and lost."
On the injury front for the Dolphins, offensive tackle Terron
Armstead (toe/pectoral/knee), receiver River Cracraft (calf),
safety Jevon Holland (neck), linebacker Melvin Ingram (rest) and
Mostert (rest) did not practice Wednesday. Defensive back Keion
Croseen (knee), tackle Eric Fisher (calf), linebackers Jaelan
Phillips (toe) and Duke Riley (ribs), safety Eric Rowe
(hamstring), tight end Durham Smythe (quad), and Wilson (hip)
were limited. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (knee) and defensive
backs Elijah Campbell (concussion) and Kader Kohou (thumb) all
had full practice sessions.
For the Packers, tackle David Bakhtiari (knee/abdomen) and
guard/tackle Elgton Jenkins (knee) did not practice. Safety Rudy
Ford (wrist/knee) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (groin) were
limited. Linebacker Krys Barnes (hand), Dillon (concussion) and
Rodgers (right thumb/rib) all practiced in full.
--Field Level Media
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