Three keys to a Packers victory against the Dolphins in Week 10
By John Dales
2. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers
Two weeks in a row, the Packers shot themselves in the foot with fourth quarter fumbles preventing scoring chances.
Say what you want about last week’s game, but the Packers were moving the ball down the field pretty well to start the fourth quarter when Aaron Jones coughed up the football. I’m not saying that cost the Packers the game, however that was a huge play and a momentum-shifter.
As for two weeks ago, we all know the case. I’m pretty sure that all the people reading this are in agreement that Aaron Rodgers and Co. would’ve marched the ball down the field to beat the Rams if not for the fumble… but I digress.
The Dolphins are not the same caliber team as the Patriots or Rams, but that doesn’t mean giveaways on offense are excusable. If the Packers want to turn things around on offense, they can’t be giving the ball to the other team on the handful of drives where they are threatening to score.
On the other side of the ball, turnovers have been few and far between. The Packers defense has only nine takeaways all season, putting them at 19th in the NFL in that respect. In the past two games, the Green Bay defense has forced a whopping zero turnovers altogether.
That trend needs to change. The playmakers on this defense need to start taking the ball away and setting up the offense with some quality field position.
The Dolphins quarterback in this game will be Brock Osweiler, so I don’t think it’s too much to ask that the Green Bay defense gets an interception or two against him. If Mike Pettine’s defense can force Osweiler to make mistakes as he has shown to do, they’ll be in good shape to win.