Packers: Grades for Week 16 performance in win over Dolphins
The Green Bay Packers won their third game in a row, a crucial victory against the Miami Dolphins to keep their postseason dreams alive.
It was a job well done for Matt LaFleur’s team. They went on the road and held their opponents to 20 points, forced four turnovers, and went home with the win.
They will close out the regular season with home games against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, knowing two more wins are required.
But first, let’s hand out grades for the Week 16 win over the Dolphins.
Packers offense: C
We saw some great moments from the Packers’ offense, but as has been the case all year, they were too inconsistent.
Green Bay failed to make the most of good field position on multiple occasions.
A 93-yard kick return that set the Packers up on the Dolphins’ nine-yard line only led to a field goal. They also settled for three on a drive that started at Miami’s 14-yard line following an interception.
The Packers did enough to win, and injuries to Yosh Nijman and Christian Watson didn’t help, but there were too many frustrating moments on offense.
Packers defense: A-
The defense started poorly, but when reflecting on the entire game, they did their job. Green Bay held one of the league’s best offenses to only 20 points while forcing four turnovers. You can’t ask for any more than that.
Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill both had over 100 yards receiving. The Dolphins’ offense dominated in the first half, putting up 20 points inside the opening two quarters.
But credit where it’s due for Joe Barry and his unit. They bounced back by shutting out the Dolphins for the rest of the game, intercepting Tua Tagovailoa three times.
Packers special teams: A
What more is there to say about Keisean Nixon? Nixon has been one of the best returners in the NFL since taking the job from Amari Rodgers. It’s still hard to believe he wasn’t given the role sooner.
Every time Nixon returns a kick, the feeling is he could score. And he so nearly did on Sunday, taking a kick return 93 yards to the Dolphins’ nine-yard line. Nixon averaged 56.5 yards on his two kick returns before leaving the game due to injury.
Mason Crosby converted all of his kicks, while Green Bay only allowed an average of 17.4 yards on kick returns.
A nice job by the Packers’ special teams unit.