MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Back again in November, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel mentioned Miami’s target was to enjoy in meaningful games in December and January.
“When you are in those people months taking part in significant soccer, it is anything contrary to any other model of football that exists,” McDaniel mentioned. “The commencing of the year pales in comparison to that surroundings.”
The Dolphins and the Inexperienced Bay Packers will have that type of knowledge when they satisfy on Xmas Day. Both of those teams are eyeing the postseason, but their eventualities to get there are fairly diverse.
The Dolphins (8-6) will make the playoffs if they get their past 3 online games — or just their very last two, towards division foes New England and the New York Jets. Miami has missing a few straight, while, and needs to begin its playoff push by beating Inexperienced Bay.
Standing in their way is 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
“We’re about to enjoy Aaron Rodgers, who has been in the league for several years and arguably a person of the best quarterbacks to at any time perform,” basic safety Jevon Holland reported. “So what extra do you have to focus on? This is a substantial problem, primarily for me. … Playoffs are playoffs. I’ve never ever been to the playoffs so I would not know.”
The Packers (6-8) possible want to earn their past three games to make the postseason. Even if they win out, they are not certain to make it.
“This is a really very good soccer team that we’re going from,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned. “Obviously they’re really hungry. They’ve received a good deal at stake. We’ve obtained a great deal at stake, and it really should be a playoff-kind video game.”
McDaniel and LaFleur know each other effectively, owning labored jointly as assistants with Houston, Washington and Atlanta.
LaFleur reported he sees some edge in participating in versus a common coach.
“I assume it potential customers to some creative imagination, rather honestly,” he stated, “because you may see the exact principle that you have that receives ran and it is like, Alright, what wrinkle can I throw off of this, so I think there is pluses and minuses to anything.”
THE GESICKI CONUNDRUM
A person of the a lot more shocking tales of the Dolphins’ season is how minor Mike Gesicki, just one of the most athletic limited finishes in the NFL, has been involved in the offense.
After acquiring career highs of 73 receptions for 780 yards in 2021, Gesicki has caught 25 passes for 274 yards this yr. He has only been focused five periods in the earlier four games and has just one catch for 5 yards throughout that span.
“I’ve made performs in this league for a extended time and I have proven the participant I am,” Gesicki explained. “There’s almost certainly defensive coordinators that are heading in and watching our movie and have to place in time — or at the very least made use of to have to put in time — to ‘How are we going to impact the activity prepare with 88 out there?’ In my impression, yeah, I could support, but I’m just heading to go about it in the most skilled way I can.”
McDaniel claimed it is a “failure to some degree” that he has not gotten Gesicki more included.
DISAPPOINTING Protection
McDaniel reported Miami’s protection is not enjoying to its abilities.
“I think any particular person in the locker home and each and every coach on the coaching staff members would say no,” he mentioned. “Just simply because they actually imagine in each and every other.”
The Dolphins rank 27th in opponent third-down conversion percentage, and they rank close to the base of the league in passing protection (27th), scoring protection (26th) and pink-zone protection (25th).
A CHEETAH Xmas
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill has under no circumstances played on Christmas Day and has a few holiday getaway-themed celebrations prepared for Sunday.
“It’s gonna be a pleasurable demonstrate,” Hill reported. “I’m gonna give individuals a thing to enjoy. It’s gonna be very entertaining.”
Hill has 109 catches for 1,529 and 7 TDs this season.
NIXON’S RETURNS
Inexperienced Bay’s Keisean Nixon was not even the Packers’ most important kick returner at the start of the season, but he now has 8 kickoff returns of 30-in addition yards and a few of 50-plus yards to lead the NFL in equally types. Nixon has returned at the very least a person kickoff 30-additionally yards in each and every of his final 4 online games, the longest these types of streak by any Packer considering the fact that Sam Shields did it in 2010.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged soon after Eco-friendly Bay’s Monday night time victory more than the Los Angeles Rams that he must have created Nixon the major kick returner before in the year.
“In all my 18 several years, I’ve by no means after, until eventually tonight, observed an opposing team’s kicker kick absent from just one of our returners on goal,” Rodgers said just after the Rams match. “That’s entertaining. That is fairly unbelievable.”
Weather Alter
The Packers played Monday night with temperatures of 15 levels — and the wind chill calculated at 7 — just just before the opening kickoff.
They are planning for a substantially various circumstance Sunday, however it will not be fairly as warm as typical in Miami. The forecast phone calls for highs in the mid-50s.
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