5 Reasons why the Packers will beat the Dolphins (and 1 reason why they might not)
Whenever you’re feeling down Green Bay Packers fans, remember this: It could be worse. We could be Dolphins fans.
Like the Packers, the Dolphins had it really good for a really long time back in the day. Super Bowl titles, an undefeated season, Hall of Fame coaches, and Dan Marino, one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
For a long time, the Dolphins were right up there with the Packers when it came to franchise greatness.
Then the post-Marino era arrived, and while the Packers’ mystique continued rising with more Super Bowls, more playoff appearances and more great quarterbacks, the Dolphins have been submerged in terribleness.
Check out this list of stiffs who have played quarterback after Marino: Jay Fiedler, A.J. Feeley, Gus Ferrotte, Joey Harrington, Cleo Lemon (huh?), Chad Pennington, Chad Henne, Matt Moore and Ryan Tannehill.
Can you imagine how miserable all of us Packers fans would be if we had to endure even two of those guys suiting up in the green and gold and trying to succeed Brett Favre? I love the Packers and always will, but even my Packers’ loving heart would have a hard time loving Cleo Lemon if he was under center at Lambeau Field.
Here’s hoping the Packers go easy on the Dolphins this afternoon. Maybe beat them by three touchdowns instead of seven. They’ve had it rough since their star quarterback left.
Here are five reason why the Packers will extend the Dolphins 14 years of post-Marino misery by at least one more week:
Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill is one of those quarterbacks who seems like he should be good, but he isn’t. He can run, he’s got a good arm, he seems to be a bright kid and a hard worker. But when you add it all up, you get….Ryan Tannehill. The Packers secondary, mixed in with some blitzes from Dom Capers, and Tannehill is a QB the Packers should be able to handle.
Linebackers
Pop quiz: Are the following players Dolphins linebackers or UPS deliverymen? Phillip Wheeler, Koa Misi, Jason Trusnik and Jelani Jenkins. If you guessed Dolphins linebackers, you win. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, this lackluster linebacker crew hasn’t helped them win much of anything.
Packers offensive line
Don’t you get the feeling that it’s all finally starting to come together for the Packers offensive line. The Dolphins defensive line will be a big test, but the Packers o-line has kept Aaron Rodgers clean for two straight games and showed signs of life in run blocking against the Vikings.
Defense
Led by an underrated secondary, the Packers defense has held three straight opponents under 20 points. They’re also forcing turnovers and getting after the quarterback. That said, everyone still thinks the Packers defense stinks. The Dolphins’ muddling offense will be another stepping stone for a defense trying to prove itself.
Ha Ha and Morgan
Oh what a difference a year makes. Gone are Jerron McMillian and M.D. Jennings. A healthy Morgan Burnett and rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix have turned the safety position from a game-breaking weakness into a strength for the Packers. Burnett might have played the best game of his career against the Vikings. Now, let’s see if the duo can keep it up.
Even a lowly franchise with a rotating carousel of rotten QBs can win a game every now and then, even against the Packers. If the Dolphins somehow manage to win today, don’t panic. Remind gloating Dolphins fans (do any Dolphins fans care enough about the Dolphins to gloat about anything?) that the Packers followed one hall-of-fame QB with another one. Anyway, here’s how the Dolphins could sneak away with a victory.
The usual formula
By now, it’s no secret how to beat the Packers: Get after Rodgers will four pass rushers, play two high safeties and dare Mike McCarthy to try and run it. The Packers might not see constant two-high safeties from Miami, but the Dolphins have the type of defensive line that usually drives the Packers bonkers. Cameron Wake is more than capable of completely throwing off the Packers offense all by himself.
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