Green Packers suffer second overtime loss in a row to the Miami Dolphins
After losing 16-13 in overtime to the Washington Redskins last weekend, the Green Bay Packers have lost in overtime for the second week in a row, as they were defeated in overtime 23-20 by the Miami Dolphins
on Sunday 17 October.
How it happened
The Packers took the lead 10-7 in the first quarter after quarterback Aaron Rodgers found Greg Jennings in the clear with a huge 86-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
After going into half-time tied 10-10, the Dolphins took the lead with a field goal midway through the third quarter which was eventually canceled out by a Packers field goal on their first possession
of the fourth.
The Dolphins took a seven point lead with just over five minutes to go when quarterback Chad Henne hooked up with Anthony Fasano for 22 yards. But Rodgers led his team right back up the field on a 69-yard
drive, eventually running the ball in himself from one yard out and sending the game into overtime.
After trading possessions in overtime, the Dolphins took over on their own 48-yard line and managed to get two first downs to get kicker Dan Carpenter close enough to kick a 44-yard field goal for the
win.
What they're saying
Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano was elated at getting the win, especially after their team was humiliated 41-14 by the New England Patriots in their previous game.
"It's been a heck of a two weeks," he said. "Fifty-three players in that locker room, every coach in that locker room believed we could get this done and we came in here and got this done. It didn't matter
how long it took."
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy expressed his frustration at playing in a series of close games and coming up short.
"We've got three losses, they've all been tight games. They've all come down to a critical point in the football game. We're not getting it done at that particular point," he said.
Rodgers also alluded to the troubles that the team has been having with injuries recently.
"We need those guys back," he said of the Packers' injured players. "We need to be at full force. No excuses, obviously. You've got to give Miami credit."
What it all means
The Packers, who were early season favourites to contend for the NFC title, now drop to 3-3 keeping them behind the Chicago Bears who also lost over the weekend. They host the Minnesota Vikings, who are
hot on their heels at 2-3, next weekend in Green Bay.
The victory for Miami will be seen as a huge lift as they will have a really tough test ahead of them as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers next weekend.
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